"...the little-known garden of the Ruspoli Castle at Vignanello contains the most magnificent box parterre in Italy..." (Georgina Masson, “Italian Gardens”)

The fortress was built by Benedictine monks in 853, when Vignanello was still part of the Papal States. The first feudal lord of Vignanello in 1531 was Beatrice Farnese. In 1536, Pope Paul III Farnese confirmed the inheritance of the estate to Beatrice's daughter, Ortensia, who was married to Sforza Marescotti. The Castle was then transformed in keeping with Ghibelline architectural designs, based on a project by Sangallo.

The Castle, as it stands today, was created in 1610 by Ottavia Orsini, wife of Marc'Antonio Marescotti and daughter of Vicino Orsini, the creator of the enchanting Garden of Bomarzo. It was she who was responsible for the creation of the Garden, which is considered to be one of the most outstanding examples of box parterres in Italy. In 1704, the Castle took the name Ruspoli when a descendant of the Marescotti family inherited the Ruspoli estate and married Vittoria di Orazio Ruspoli from Siena, under the obligation of taking her name. To this day, the Castle is still the summer residence of the descendants of the Ruspoli family, and Claudia and Giada have ensured that their love for the castle, and particularly its enchanting garden, has been beautifully preserved.

THE HISTORY OF CASTELLO RUSPOLI

In the Viterbo area, which boasts the highest concentration of historic gardens in the world, the Italian garden has reached its highest expression, and Vignanello represents perhaps the most elegant, sophisticated and celebrated example in the whole world. The fortress was built by Benedictine monks in 853, when Vignanello was still part of the Papal States. The first feudal lord of Vignanello in 1531was Beatrice Farnese. In 1536, Pope Paul III Farnese confirmed the inheritance of the estate to Beatrice's daughter, Ortensia, who was married to Sforza Marescotti. The Castle was then transformed in keeping with Ghibelline architectural designs, based on a project by Sangallo.

The Castle, as it stands today, was created in 1610 by Ottavia Orsini, wife of Marc'Antonio Marescotti and daughter of Vicino Orsini, the creator of the enchanting Garden of Bomarzo. She left behind an indelible trace of her love for this suggestive place by having her initials and those of her two sons, Sforza and Galeazzo, inscribed in the property, enabling historians to certify the date of its creation. In 1704, the Castle took the name Ruspoli, and the obligation to hand down this name through the generations, and today it remains the summer residence of the descendants of the same family.

The adjoining garden houses one of the most acclaimed parterres of the 17th century; its large, flat, rectangular space is traversed in its length and width by four avenues, which define twelve aligned and squared boxwood parterres that enclose a large basin at its centre, framed by four balustrade arches. These 'plant sculptures', originally made of sage and rosemary, bestow the clarity of an abstract geometric design on its overall appearance. Despite stylistic changes, particularly in the late 18th century when there was a fashion for French broderies, the garden has remained miraculously intact.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT CASTELLO RUSPOLI

Private events can be celebrated at the Castle.

GUIDED TOURS OF CASTELLO RUSPOLI AT VIGNANELLO

It is possible to visit Castello Ruspoli from March to November by prior appointment. To book a tour of the castle, please consult our website page: https://castelloruspoli.com/en/contact/. The guided tour also includes free car parking.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

Villa Lante in Bagnaia, the Park of the Monsters in the Garden of Bomarzo, Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola, Viterbo, , Civita di Bagnoreggio.