The amount of domestic tourism in Italy is simply staggering. The citizens love to travel within their country, enjoying the various destinations and attractions within their bodies. If you are in doubt, visit the country during the July-August period. Offices are served by a skeleton crew and some restaurants and service industries are closed. Families and individuals are taking time off, to breathe in and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.
When looking into various destinations in Italy, we conducted a survey and one thing repeatedly came up – castles. That’s how we decided to take a closer look into this. Put aside the rolling hills, beautiful villages, and exquisite foods. Italy has such diversity when it comes to castles. All offer something unique, different and they are spread all over the country. Let’s take a closer look. On your next vacation to Europe, you will consider making a stop to one or more of these options.
Scaligero Castle
This particular castle dates back as far as the 13th Century and is located on the shores of Lake Garda. Its beauty has been the inspiration to many painters from time immemorial. We recommend taking a tour of the Castle. You can immerse yourself in the imperial feeling that the castle exudes. The castle is also located on high ground. From the cobbled turrets and parapet walls, you can be able to get a stunning panoramic view of the lake as well as of the town of Sirmione.
Castle dell ’Ovo
There is an absurd story surrounding the foundation of the Castle dell ’Ovo. Legend has it that the castle foundation stands on magic. It has to be quite the sturdy egg considering that the Castle dell ’Ovo has been an iconic landmark in Naples since the 12th Century. The Castle was built by the Normans and still bears their unique signature. The best time to visit is almost during sunset. The orange hue from the sun magically transforms the castle.
The Ferrara Castle
The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a symbol of the city of Ferrara. It was built in the 14th century. One of the unique features of the castle is its guided tours. The castle offers an animated tour where you will get to learn of the history of the castle together with the secret tunnels hidden within the think walls. The professional actors do such a good job you will think you were part of the Estensi family, the original residents of the castle.
Sant’Angelo Castle
The Sant’Angelo Castle is a must-visit on your next Italian vacation. It is one of the oldest in the country, boasting of being constructed at around 123 A.D. The castle was originally built as a tomb and had ties to the powerful Roman families of old. As a seat of power, the popes are also intertwined in its history. There are almost 2000 years of history embedded in this beautiful building. Few buildings in the world are as old and as beautiful as the Sant’Angelo Castle.