RomeCabs Transfers and Tours in Italy

 

Buon giorno, and welcome to Stefano’s RomeCabs travel blog.

Bracciano Castle (its official name is Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, named after the previous two main owners of the castle) is located in the historic town of Bracciano.

The castle looms over the pristine Lake Bracciano, which is one of the most popular destinations in the Roman countryside for visitors, cruisers, and locals alike.

Bracciano Castle is also offered on our Countryside Splendor Day Tour from Rome and Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia, as well as our popular Pre Cruise Countryside tour.

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Have you considered visiting Bracciano Castle during your stay in Rome, or on your shore excursion from Civitavecchia?

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We included a photo and video tour of Bracciano Castle to offer you a taste of this majestic castle.

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Bracciano Orsini-Odescalchi Castle – Photo and Video Tour

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Bracciano Castle is a forbidding example of medieval  and Renaissance era military residential castle, and it’s also one of the best preserved feudal castles in Europe!

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Bracciano Castle overlooks pristine volcano created Lake Bracciano, the second largest lake in the region, and one of Italy’s most important lakes.

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When you visit, you can see for yourself how a Medieval – Renaissance castle was built, how the rooms were divided, and how they kept these grandiose staterooms warm and lit.

For example, there are no corridors or doors that separate each room.  Each room leads into the next room, as if you are walking through train cars.

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Large windows allows in daylight, the main source of natural light inside castles.

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Each room has its own large fireplace, as this was the sole method of indoor heating.

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Beds were built with canopies. Thick drapes pulled shut would offer both warmth at night, and privacy (due to lack of doors separating each room).

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There were no indoor bathrooms in the Medieval and Renaissance castles as there are in modern day homes.   

Usually a chamber pot, or a latrine throne  (as the far left wooden structure in the photo below in the Gothic Hall) was used at night and in the morning. The chamber pots and latrines were later cleaned by the chambermaids.

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There is also a hall specially designated to armament of the era of Knights fighting in heavy armor defended by shields, and using swords and lances as weapons against enemies in battle. 

It is quite fascinating to compare the armory of the Medieval times as opposed to contemporary war weaponry.

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.Currently the castle is open for visits as well as weddings, cultural events, conferences, and more.  Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married here in Bracciano Castle.

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A visit to Bracciano Castle is perfect for families and children who dream of castles, princesses and noble knights.  

Unlike Cinderella’s castle, Odescalchi Castle (Bracciano Castle) is the REAL thing. AND a real princess (princess Maria Pace) currently manages her family’s castle.

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Two floors of Renaissance era rooms with original furniture, wall frescoes, paintings, weapons, and more making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time several hundred years.

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Medieval Kitchen… large enough to feed an army (or at least the castle occupants, staff, workers and guests).

It’s important to notice that the kitchen is located away from the main castle to keep it safe from potential kitchen fires (and avoid kitchen smells and smoke).

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As with all Medieval castles,  Orsini-Odescalchi Castle was fortified with ramparts on top of its thick and massive defensive walls. Soldiers and guardsmen patrolled the walls as part of the castle’s security and defense system against enemy attacks.

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Walk along the rampants on top of the defensive walls for stunning views of the countryside and lake.

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Don’t miss a stroll through the castle’s open air courts and admire the imposing architecture around you.

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Thank you for visiting our Travel Blog.

For more information on Day Tours, Shore Excursions, and Pre Cruise Tours that include a visit to Bracciano Castle (Orsini-Odescalchi Castle), please visit our website below.

We look forward to showing you beautiful places in Italy!

The Rome Cabs Team

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Stefano’s RomeCabs FaceBook
Twitter:  @RomeCabs

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