Fondi Castle

Fondi Castle was built in three main phases on Roman walls in opus incertum dating from the 1st century BC. The earliest phase saw the construction of a square tower or keep, of which only the base remains, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century. In the mid-14th century the square keep was rebuilt and a rectangular fortress with three corner towers was added. Later, in the second half of the 15th century, a cylindrical tower with battlements was constructed above the square keep.

During the 14th century, the Caetani family built the Palazzo Caetani, also known as the Baronial Palace, beside the castle. Over time, the castle underwent several modifications. In 1840 the battlements of the keep were demolished as they had become unsafe. From 1861 to 1931 the building served as a district prison, and before its 20th-century restoration, prisoner graffiti could still be seen on the walls. Later, part of the castle was converted into a civic museum.

The main structure today consists of two connected parts, joined by a wooden bridge. One is the square keep with battlements, dating from the 12th to 14th centuries, topped by a cylindrical tower from the 15th century. The other is the rectangular fortress with battlements and three cylindrical corner towers from the 14th century.

Address
Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 5, Fondi, Italy

Established
12th century