The Ducal Palace dates back to the 16th century when, under Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps—a prominent figure in Roman history and nephew of Pope Pius IV—the castle was transformed into a majestic palace. This splendid residence is rich in stories and legends, even praised by Stendhal, including numerous anecdotes about the tumultuous love affair between Gabriele d’Annunzio and Maria Hardouin di Gallese.
The original, austere fortress—featuring a quadrilateral layout with corner towers—was thus converted into a luxurious noble palace filled with rooms brimming with art and history. Most of the palace’s finishes are the work of the architect Carlo Fontana, while the overall renovation is attributed to the designs of Giacomo della Porta, a pupil of Vignola.
After crossing the bridge that connects the town to the fortress, which is protected by a deep moat, the grand portal—surmounted by the Altemps family coat of arms—leads into a garden. Facing this garden on three sides are the airy and well-structured facades of the palace.
The main facade is enlivened by a double flight of stairs with a nymphaeum fountain at its center, echoing a design style adopted by Vignola. This area grants access to the first floor of the palace, where a majestic loggia serves as a gallery for the antiquities collection gathered over the centuries.
The other two facades also feature loggias enriched with art collections. In the garden, harmonious arrangements of archaeological artifacts and refined plant species are displayed in a seamless fusion of flora and ruins. The palace has preserved its 19th-century layout, and ancient relics can still be spotted in the garden today.
The Castello Di Gallese is located in the municipality of Gallese, in the province of Viterbo, not far from the city of Rome.
The residence opens its doors for guided tours every month, available for both groups and private individuals.
Tours are fully guided and last approximately one hour. Bookings can be made based on the time slots available on the calendar. Each time slot has limited capacity.
Adults and youth over 15 years old: €10.00
Children and youth from 5 to 15 years old: €5.00
Children under 5 years old: Free
People with disabilities: Free
Please note: Tickets must be booked at least 5 days prior to the date of your intended visit. Following your online reservation, payment must be made in cash on-site on the day of the tour to the staff on duty.
Tours take place exclusively at the following time:
10:30 AM
Ticket Booking: Tickets must be reserved 5 days before the visit. Following the online booking, payment can be settled on-site on the day of the guided tour.
Schedule Changes: Public opening dates may vary due to restoration and maintenance work. Please check the reservation calendar for updates on availability and special openings.
What you will see: The tour will allow you to visit the nymphaeum in the park, the medieval walls, the garden (preserved and restored across different eras), and finally, the Castle courtyard.
Footwear: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Address: The entrance to the Gallese Castle is located at Piazza di Castello 2, 01035 Gallese (VT).
Gardens
Residences
Visits
Cultural tourism
