Baglioni Castle, or also known as Sipicciano Castle, is a medieval castle located in Sipicciano, a hamlet of Graffignano, in Lazio, just a few km from the border with Umbria. The castle has a long history that begins in 1260 and has been transformed over the years thanks to the various noble families who have owned the surrounding lands.
The castle of Sipicciano, with its octagonal towers, is already mentioned in a document of 1263 (process of Selva Pagana), to then reappear in the ancient chronicles when it was burned, in 1326 and then in 1328 at the time of the struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines . He then had a quiet period.
In 1414, during the fight against the antipope John XXIII, the castle found itself in the hands of a mercenary captain named Angelo di Lavello who obtained it in exchange for his services. After the latter’s death, the castle returned to the Holy See.
The vicissitudes of the castle continue in history
The castle then passed to Giordano Antonio Colonna, who in turn sold it to Giovanni and Giacomo Pandolfo. The fortification did not remain in the possession of the family for another 300 years, in fact, in 1400 it was redeemed by the Baglioni. Excluding a possible interlude during which Clement VII confiscated the castle by selling the property for a short time to Pietro Altemps, the Baglionis kept the property until 1633 during the numerous adversities.
When Prospero Costaguti bought the castle in the summer of 1919, it was certainly to be considered in a serious state of abandonment. In fact, Prince Taddeo Barberini – who had acquired it in 1720 from his son Pierfrancesco – had sold it to us because it was in a state of total abandonment, and presumably he was very sorry to leave it like this. The next usufructuary was Prospero Costaguti, co-owner with Gonzaga from Easter 1887 to 13 October 1906.
Since this date the small castle has been cleared of enemy forces and is now lonely and peaceful.
The Castle today
The castle, under the aegis of the Agricultural University, which has its headquarters in the town, has been restored and used as an archaeological museum, for the finds from the Roman villa discovered in the area in 2009. The rooms also have interesting frescoed friezes.
On which days is it possible to visit the Baglioni Castle in Graffignano?
The castle is open to the public and can be visited every day.
What is the ticket price?
The prices for the entrance ticket are 8 euros for adults and 5 euros for children under 12 years old.
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