Castrocaro Castle

We had gone to this castle several months ago but only saw the outside of it because it was only open a couple of days a week.  We were finally able to see the inside of it last week and we loved it.  We actually met the director of the castle and curator of the museum and he gave us a private tour.

From the town of Castrocaro looking up at the castle.

Entrance to the castle compound.

This is the oldest portion of the compound.  The public is not allowed into it because it is too dangerous.    They are still excavating in this part of the castle.

This spiral stairway in the tower leads to the torture chamber.  The director demonstrated the forms of torture used in this chamber.  It gave Sorella Jefferies nightmares so I won't explain them to you.

Inside the compound is this small chapel, the Church of Santa Barbara.

This is the kitchen which was located outside in the middle of the castle courtyard.

With our tour guide, the director of the castle.  Behind us is an olive tree that dates back to the 1600's.  The oldest written record of this castle is from 1035 but some of the artifacts found are from the 900's.  Castrocaro and Forli' were arch enemies and this castle protected the citizens from attack by the soldiers from Forli'.  In the 1400's the Medici family from Florence took control of the castle and the city from the Papal States. Wine and olive oil produced in the region were stored in the castle and then shipped to other locations in Tuscany and Romagna.

This old stairway led up to the castle tower.

It's hard to see but there are beautiful purple iris flowers growing on the castle wall.

A view of the side of the church with the oldest part of the castle in the background.

The oldest part of the castle is on the left with the courtyard in the middle and the newer part of the castle, which houses the museum, on the right.