Are you interested in exploring historic castles? These are the must-see castles in Italy:
1Castel Sant'Elmo
NaplesCastel Sant'Elmo is a medieval fortress that sits atop Vomero Hill, adjacent to the Certosa di San Martino, and offers a panoramic view of Naples, Italy. Its strategic location makes it a significant landmark in the city. The castle's name, 'Sant'Elmo', is derived from a 10th-century church dedicated to Sant'Erasmo, which was later shortened to 'Ermo' and then altered to 'Elmo'. 2Castel Sant'Angelo
RomeOriginally built in the second century AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum, in the 14th century, it was decided that the building should be turned into a castle and a special corridor was added in order to connect the castle with St. Peter’s Basilica. Today, the castle serves as a museu 3Museo di Castelvecchio
VeronaBuilt by the Scaliger family in the 14th century, this military castle once served as Verona's main defense point. It is a marvelous and functional gem of Gothic architecture which now houses a history museum. You can easily spend a few hours just wandering around and taking in the splendid views. 4Castel Sismondo
RiminiLocated in Rimini, Romagna, in northern Italy, Castel Sismondo is a historical castle with only the central part of the structure still standing. This central nucleus is a testament to the castle's past and offers a glimpse into its historical significance. 5Sforza Castle Museums
MilanThe Sforza Castle is a 15th century Renaissance castle surrounded by massive walls and built by the Duke of Milan (Francesco Sforza) as his residence. Today, it houses many museums, including The Museum of Ancient Art, the Egyptian Museum, the Applied Arts Collection, the Museum of Musical Instrumen 6Royal Palace Museum
GenoaThe Palazzo Reale or Palazzo Stefano Balbi is the Royal Palace in Genoa and is one of the major historic buildings in Genoa. It is a museum complex consisting of the historic residence, the adjoining garden and the art gallery, the gallery of the Royal Palace, which is one of the main galleries in t 7Castello Rametz - Wine Museum
MeranoA castle that turned into a winery and wine museum, that's a must-stop if you are in the area. If you are hiking nearby or have your own tourist group, you should take a look at the interesting history of this place and perhaps even taste some wine while you do so. 8Vicari Castle
LariThe natural dominant of the landscape dates back to the 13th century. Climb the hill, explore the courtyard and visit the exhibitions. 9Museo Civico Castello Ursino
CataniaThe Museo Civico in Catania has been housed within the Ursino Castle since October 20, 1934. This location was chosen due to its capacity to accommodate the extensive Benedettine collection, which was later supplemented by artifacts purchased from the heirs of the Prince of Biscari, the Zappalà Asmundo collection, and many private donations. 10Castello Ursino & Museo Civico
CataniaCastello Ursino, also known as Castello Svevo di Catania, is a castle in Catania that was built in the 13th century as a royal castle of the Kingdom of Sicily. The Castello Ursino is known for its role in the Sicilian Vespers, when it became the seat of the Sicilian Parliament. The Museo civico open 11Castello Normanno-Svevo
BariThe Castello Normanno-Svevo (Houhenstaufen Castle) is a castle in Bari that was built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. It is surrounded by a moat on all sides, except the northern side, which used to border the sea and can be accessed from the bridge and the gate on the southern side. Castello N 12Civic Museums of Udine
UdineEstablished in 1865 and opened to the public a year later at the Bartolini Palace, the Civic Museums and Galleries of History and Art of Udine have a long-standing history. This history is reflected in the vast collection of artifacts and artworks that they house. 13Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Melfese Massimo Pallottino
MelfiThe Museo archeologico nazionale del Melfese is situated in the castle of Melfi. It is home to a vast collection of archaeological findings from the Vulture-Melfese area. These artifacts provide insights into the indigenous populations of various historical periods, including prehistory, Daunian, Samnite, Roman, Byzantine, and Norman eras. 14Museo d'Arte Siamese
CagliariThe Stefano Cardu Siamese Art Civic Museum is situated within the Citadel of Museums, a museum complex located in the Castle of Cagliari. This location not only offers a unique collection of Siamese art but also provides a historical setting, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. 15San Domenico Museum
ForlìThe San Domenico Museums are a collection of five buildings located in Forlì, Italy. They are named after a Dominican convent that dates back to the 13th century. This historical complex provides a unique insight into the rich history and culture of the region. 16Castello del Buonconsiglio
Provincia di TrentoThe Castello del Buonconsiglio, also known as Castello del Buonconsiglio. Provincial Monuments and Collections, is a museum complex located in the autonomous province of Trento. The complex is made up of five different locations, each offering a unique insight into the region's history and culture. 17INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
PaduaThe Specola di Padova is the former observatory of the University of Padua, located in the Northern Italian region of Veneto. Despite local references to it as Galilei's observatory, there has never been a connection between Galilei and the Specola. Originally, the tower was the large watchtower or Torlonga of Castelvecchio, the medieval castle in the center of Padua. 18Museo del Castello di San Giorgio
La SpeziaThe Castello San Giorgio, named after Saint George, is a military fortification located on the heights of the northern Italian city of La Spezia. This historic castle can be reached via Via XXVII Marzo, a route that takes you through the former city wall. The castle's strategic location offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding region. 19Visconti Castle (Pavia)
PaviaThe Visconti Castle of Pavia, also known as Castello Visconteo di Pavia, is a significant historical site in Northern Italy. Constructed after 1360 by Galeazzo II Visconti, the Lord of Milan, the castle served as a sovereign residence for him and his son, Gian Galeazzo, the first Duke of Milan. The castle's grand dimensions and architectural design are a testament to the power and influence of the Visconti family during the Middle Ages. 20Belvedere Fort
FlorenceBuilt in the 16th century, the Belvedere Fort was designed to demonstrate the power of the Medici family and to protect the center of the city. Not many people know that Galileo visited the fortress and completed some if his important studies here. The architecture style of the fort is a mixture of 21The Royal Palace & Gardens - Polo Reale
TurinThe Royal Palace of Turin (Palazzo Reale di Torino) is a historic palace of the Savoy family in Turin. The palace was originally built in the 16th century and was modernized in the 17th century by Christine Marie of France with the help of the Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra. The palace also inclu- 22
Citadel of Museums
CagliariThis amazing complex situated in a fortress on a hill-top overlooking Cagliari, houses a number of great and highly interesting museums. - 23
Palazzo Bonaguro
Bassano del GrappaPalazzo Bonaguro is a historic building that dates back to the 15th century. It is situated near the Old Bridge in the Angarano district of Bassano del Grappa, in the province of Vicenza in Veneto. This building is one of the four locations of the civic museums of Bassano, making it a significant cultural site in the region.