It was for centuries the alcove “secret”, hidden by the dense network of silvery olive trees of Nerola, in Sabina, the Orsini, Lante Della Rovere and Barberini, as well as the Borgia family who gave princes, popes and even. .. scandals to the chronicles of various ages. Today the Orsini Castle, built in the X century on the top of a green hill, “lying” in a fantastic way bucolic scenery of incomparable beauty, sung by the Latin poet Horace, is the ideal place to spend many romantic weekends away. The interior of this castle are furnished with original furniture dating back to ‘600 by kneeling to the coffers, from the collection of medieval locks on display in the glass case, until the capes cardinals, along with rooms decorated with wooden ceilings.
Among its frescoed halls, is that of the famous Casket, where for centuries the pairs are used to exchange wedding vows, in addition to the Prince’s room with its four poster bed, around which the dark and stormy nights, often meet elusive attendance. Ghosts? It would seem so, in particular, to Anne Marie De La Tremouille, married in 1675 to Flavio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, who on the death of her husband, she would become one of the most admired representatives of Parisian high society. Love oranges and their scent, Anne launched the fashion of an essence that in honor of the castle where he had invented this new essence, was called neroli. Today, the beauty farm the Orsini Castle, you can undergo body treatments and massages based on this ointment.
The path of discovery of the manor belonged to the Orsini runs between the Crystal Lounge, the Living Room of Table d’Oro, the Terrace Garibaldi where a handful of redcoats clashed with the papal army emerged defeated, until the ovens in the kitchen stone where now wears dinner. The real masterpiece is the chapel where the original frescoes depicting the ‘400 San Sebastian and San Giorgio grappling with the dragon. To enjoy the breeze of the Tiber valley and the Mountain landscape Lucretili you can walk around the perimeter of the wall, then go out and get to know the surrounding area, rich in character bucolic.
The most popular destination is the Benedictine Abbey of Farfa, which was erected at the foot of Mount Acuziano in the sixth century and was visited by Charlemagne, who gathered in prayer on the way to Rome where he was soon after crowned. Among his most important finds, there are the Cippo of Cures, an example of epigraphy sabina on stone, a box Ivory Coast schools, boards and opistografe century paintings. Inside dell’erboristeria, the monks sell creams and propolis from the clutches of the devil who make personally, in addition to their delicious sweets. Taking a road trip in Sabina can have a picnic among the olive trees, and sit in the shade of the tree considered the most ancient of the Old World which is located in the estate of the brothers Canneto Bertini: according to legend planting this olive would was even the King of Rome Numa Pompilius, but it is more likely that his age is estimated to be around a thousand years.
Another place to check is the Castle of Rocca Sinibalda along the shore of Lake Turano built in the sixteenth century, a fortress by four massive bastions forming a square tower that reveals the military purpose. Even Rieti, with the cave in Greccio, in the Cathedral of St. Mary Palazzo Vecchiarelli and Theatre Vespasian painted by Giulio Rolland, is a destination easy to reach for those who choose to abbondarsi the pleasures of a weekend between the walls of the romantic Castello Orsini (tel. 0774.683272, www.castelloorsini.it)