Longhi Castle

Longhi Castle stands in Fumone, a small town in Lazio’s Frosinone province. Built as the main fortress of the Papal States in southern Lazio, it served for over 500 years (11th–16th centuries) as a watchtower: smoke signals from its tower warned the countryside of invasions.

The fortress resisted attacks from Frederick Barbarossa and Henry VI, falling peacefully to Pope Gregory IX in the 13th century. It later held Antipope Gregory VIII (who died there in 1121) and Pope Celestine V, imprisoned there until his death in 1296.

In 1584, Pope Sixtus V entrusted the now-declining castle to the Longhi family of Rome, who turned it into a noble residence. The Longhi built a hanging garden in the 17th century — one of Europe’s largest at over 3,500 m² and the highest above 800 meters altitude.

Inside are rooms linked to Celestine V, including his cell and chapel. A darker legend tells of Francesco Longhi, a child murdered by his sisters over inheritance; his mummified body remains in the family archive.

Visited by Pope Paul VI in 1966, the castle remains privately owned by Longhi descendants, Stefano and Fabio de Paolis, and open to the public for guided tours.

Address
Via Covone 11, Fumone, Italy

Established
11th century