Castelnuovo di Porto, RM Lazio

Castelnuovo di Porto is a charming medieval hill town situated 25 km North East of Rome and is one of the few unspoiled historical centres close to the capital. The village was built around an imposing medieval castle called Rocca Colonna. During the course of history Rocca Colonna was contested by several noble and even papal families and eventually became the property of the Colonna family, giving the castle its name. After the second world war the castle was used as a prison until the 1960s. It has now been skillfully restored to its former splendor and has many frescoed rooms which everyone can enjoy. The castle is open to the public for numerous cultural events such as theatre, concerts and art exhibitions. The village, located in the area pertaining to the Parco di Veio, between two narrow valleys crossed by the Fosso Chiarano and the Fosso della Mola, has an enchanting old historic centre, that is the result of a century-old history. Originally,it was a medieval fortress, controlled by the powerful Colonna family up to the 16th century. The reference to Porto in the name of Castelnuovo is most likely due to the town being included in the diocese of Porto, which was held by a senior Cardinal. Castelnuovo was for many centuries a fiefdom of the Colonna, one of a few this powerful family had north of Rome.