Behind the Lens of a Forgotten Italian Castle

I came across this location while driving back to the UK from my art residency at Villa Lena in 2021. I’d driven all the way to Tuscany and back for the 5 week trip, and on the return journey, I couldn’t resist stopping to explore this castle with my husband. It was too intriguing to pass by, so we decided to sneak in and see what we could find.

As we made our way up the steep hill through the small town toward the castle, I was full of anticipation, hoping we’d find a way inside. After waiting a while for people to pass our chosen spot, we finally had our chance. It was a tight squeeze through a gap in the wall, and we had to pass our bags and tripods through quickly and quietly.

Here I am, grinning after we made it inside. The light was perfect, and for once, there was no rush. It was a cool autumn day, and we spent about five hours exploring every floor and capturing as much as we could.

Glorious autumn light

The castle looked especially striking in the autumn light, which brought out the warmth of the painted columns and red brick. The courtyard below was quiet and overgrown, adding to the stillness of the place. Next door, the church bell rang on the hour, a steady reminder of time passing outside these forgotten walls. The interiors were just as striking as the exterior, filled with patterned ceilings, painted arches, and views framed by beautifully aged windows that caught the soft autumn light.

Originally built in the early 20th century by a wealthy industrialist, the castle was designed to impress, boasting hundreds of rooms and intricate details at every turn. Yet, like many grand estates, its history took unexpected turns. Over the decades it changed hands multiple times and, in later years, became the site of clandestine activity, adding a shadowy layer to its story.

Before we left, I sent my drone up to take in the full view, and the landscape around the castle was incredible. Rolling hills stretched out in every direction, dotted with small towns and winding roads. From above, you can really see how isolated and commanding the castle’s position is, overlooking miles of countryside that glowed softly in the autumn light.