The History of Castello Brancaccio

From Royals to Royal Stays

One of the preserved frescoes inside Castello Brancaccio.

© 2018 DISRVPT

It can be assumed that the first nucleus of the current San Gregorio da Sassola was formed between the sixth and twelfth centuries and called Castel S. Gregorio, located in the Ancesano estate, donated on 28 December 587 by the owner at the time, the Pope Gregorio Magno of the rich Anicia family, to the Roman monastery of S. Andrea al Celio, which he founded in his own house 15 years earlier. It was soon populated by the inhabitants of the nearby Castel Faustiniano who preferred the new, safer and healthier center. It is the most representative monument of San Gregorio da Sassola. Its origins date back to the mid-10th century, built as an element of defense of the first residential nucleus, its history is intimately linked to that of the town and of the various families that succeeded one another in the property. Its defensive function having failed over the centuries, it gradually acquired the appearance of a residential dwelling. It was in fact at the end of the fifteenth century before, by Cardinal Prospero Publicola Santacroce (1567-1586), and then at the beginning of the seventeenth century, by Cardinal Carlo Pio di Savoia (1655-1689) to undergo the most considerable renovations . The part of the building overlooking the north was built with the central square tower crowned by a battlements, the drawbridge that gives access to the round arched portal and the large and elegant internal courtyard. majestic rooms, some of which were painted by the two major representatives of late Roman Mannerism, the brothers Taddeo and Federico Zuccari (room of Apollo and Aurora and room of the three Fates) and a lovely internal chapel was built.