Odescalchi Castle

Castello Orsini-Odescalchi Castle Bracciano
Bracciano, Italy
Castello Orsini-Odescalchi
Castello Orsini-Odescalchi Castle Bracciano
Coordinates	42°06′16″N 12°10′40″E / 42.1044°N 12.1778°E / 42.1044; 12.1778
Site history
Built	1470–1485

Castello Orsini-Odescalchi is a castle in Bracciano, in the Province of Rome, Lazio, Italy. It is located on the southern shore of Lake Bracciano. It was built in the 15th century, and combines the functions of a military defence structure and a civilian residence of the feudal lords of the period, the Orsini and Borgia, both papal families. As one of the largest and best-maintained castles in Italy, it also houses a museum; as a centre of cultural events, the Castello has hosted several high-profile weddings like the ones of Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes, Eros Ramazzotti/ Michelle Hunziker, and Petra Ecclestone/James Stunt .

The well-preserved medieval castle Castello Orsini-Odescalchi is 3 km (alongside the road leading to Trevignano Romano) from the Bracciano town which is 30 km away from Rome. It is located on the southern shore of the volcanic lake (Lago di Bracciano or "Sabatino", the eighth largest lake in Italy). The railway Line FR3 connects it with Rome (stations of Ostiense and Valle Aurelia) in about 55 minutes. Close to it lie the two medieval towns of Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano.

The castle's earliest history is inferred to be linked to one of the numerous towers built in the tenth century as a defence against the Saracen attacks, as implied by the ancient name of Castrum Brachiani. In the eleventh century the neighbouring territory was acquired by the Prefetti di Vico family, who turned the tower into a castle. Ferdinand Gregorovius dated the possession of Bracciano by the Orsini to 1234. From 1375 it was a Papal possession.