Italy · 12th century
Rocca dei Borgia ranks #5,575 of 9,040 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #398 of the 555 mapped in Italy. Founded c. 1150, it is older than 80% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 763 atlas entries founded in the 12th century. 2 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Viterbo, 28 km away. See how Italy compares in the castle statistics.
The Castello Borgia (also Borgia Castle or Rocca di Nepi) is a 16th-century castle in Nepi, in province of Viterbo, Italy originally refurbished for Lucrezia Borgia. The castle features a large square piazza surrounded by walls on all sides and circular towers at each corner.
The castle was originally constructed in the 12th century. During the 15th century it was expanded by cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and gifted to his daughter, Lucrezia. Borgia was Governor of Nepi at the time. The castle was further renovated by the Farnese during the 16th century.
It was damaged by the French in 1798 and left in a state of disrepair.
In 1819, the castle was the subject of a sketch by the travelling J. M. W. Turner. The sketch is now part of the permanent collection held by the Tate Britain.
Text adapted from “Castello Borgia” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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