Savelli Castle

 
When the Savelli family took possession of the castle at Palombara Sabina on their arrival from Rome in the 13th century, they renovated and enlarged the structure.
Over the following centuries, Popes, Antipopes, Emperors and famous men, such as Benvenuto Cellini, were guests in the imposing building.
Its rooms also housed a tribunal set up to judge some Knights Templar.  

The wide salons are decorated with frescoes by the Raphael school and some, such as those in the Cardinal's apartment, are particularly beautiful.

The Castle was a proper fort able to resist sieges and attack; in fact there is a fortified walkway 83 metres long, that can be used both internally and externally to lead away from the fortress, with 37 arrow slits cut into its walls.
This walkway,  known as il soccorso, was used by archers to run up to the tower and return to the fortress without being seen.  The slim watchtower still rises up into the sky and dominates the valley to this day.

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