castello di gradara

It's a castle , theatre of a tragic love story of Francesca and Paolo, written by Dante Alighieri. Beautiful , with middle age fortress and perfectly preserved. A place that everybody should know.

The castle is famous for the love story of Paolo and Francesca which was also mentioned in Dante's Inferno. We were on a guided tour and our guide was excellent and gave us so much information. We were surprised to learn that the Castle was still lived in until the early 80's. There is an entrance fee but value for money, over 65 is free. For those with difficulty walking bear in mind there are steps inside and also quite a steep incline up the castle. There are lots of restaurants and bars in the vicinity.

The castle’s 30-meter-tall keep and crenellated walls were the scene of much intrigue, many fatal romances, as well as political events: it is where the most prominent aristocratic families of the region decided to fight the Papacy during the Middle Ages. Legend has it that this was also where lovers Paolo and Francesca – portrayed in one of the most famous episodes of Dante’s Inferno, in the fifth canto – lived the passionate affair that would soon lead to their tragic death by murder, when discovered by Francesca’s jealous husband: “Love brought us to one death”, she tells Dante in the Divine Comedy.

The castle is the highest point for miles around and the battlements are perfectly preserved, with fencing on the inner sides offereing as safe an environment to walk in as it's possible to have. Why then last week (and possibly longer) were the battlements closed to the public with no explanation, depriving visitors of one of the best viewing platforms in the area?The building itself isn't wildly exciting and here, as at so many places in Italy these days, no interior photography is permitted.The village is equally disappointing, consisting mostly of a main street with cafes and touristy gift-shops.A short section of the village walls are accessible but the view is nothing like as good as it would be from the castle battlements.

Not appropriate with stroller and small chlidrenThe castle is nice from outside but very poor on terms of visit inside

Very nice castle, perfectly mantained. It was rebuilt in 1920 following an earthquake and it's kept very well and a pleasure to explore. You could probably see it all (town and castle) in half a day, but would recomend spending a day or maybe a night to enjoy the local restaurants which are lovely and plenty to choose from. We went on a week day and it was quite busy, so it must be even more so on week ends. You can't take your stroller with you when visiting the castle and the walkway over the walls is also a no go area, we used the rucksack/carrier for our 18 months old.

Italy boasts some of the grandest driving attractions anywhere on planet earth. Whilst in one of my favourite regions, the Marche, we drove to Gradara,a famous little town inherent with impressive beauty and the big hook of being linked with a episode of paolo and Francesca,sung by Dante in the Inferno. The four verses taken from the Divine Comedy allow Gradara to be regarded as "a lovers town". if you have ever read Dante's take on the sin of love, through his pitiful and human eye,you will understand why,for centuries,Paolo and Francesca have represented the height of amorous literature. As usual i have digressed. The lines of tourists visiting the the castle,move silently,but excitedly ato see the room where the lovers declared their love to each other and the trap-door through which they tried to escape from the revenge of her husband. So cuckold-ness is cool as long as the celebrity- couple declare pure love.... Hmmmmmm. The fortress is square with turrets on its corners with an impressive polygonal keep,built in the 13th century,it contains an armoury and even a torture chamber. Even if i thought the fortress exceptionally interesting,one cannot but be swooned by the charm of the village,well preserved and surrounded 14th century boundary walls. A wide gate in these walls leads to the Town hall,in which interesting paintings by Raphael's father are displayed. From the keep of the fortress there is a marvellous view of of the landscape from Taviola valley to Gabicce.

The twelfth-century hilltop castle (Rocca di Gradara) remains a fascinating example of mediaeval architecture and has a number of fascinating features and frescoes. The medieval features and furnishings were actually extensively restored in the 1920s by an art lover, but this was done so sensitively that the experience really feels true to mediaeval times.In addition the environs are generally clean and tidy, though we did find some handrails made greasy by the hands of visiting children! There is plenty for interested children and adults to see.There is no lift and some long staircases to get to the main rooms.

This castle and the grounds surrounding the castle are well worth a visit the admission fee into the castle is a very good price at €5 there is lots to see the people in side were very helpful and friendly overall we really enjoyed our visit . Would visit again and spend more time exploring what we may have missed on the first visit .10/10

you are immediately projected in the middle age and you feel exactely like a middle age men ,fantastic food and wine and a lot of souvenirs to buy .

It was 30 years ago that i visited Gradara castle,we went on an excursion from our hotel at night,it was a meal and then a disco with lots of lovely italian music also.it was such a memorable evening,i have never forgotten it.Maybe god willing i may return one day.

We stayed in a hotel in Cattolica and took the mini train from Cattolica harbor to Gradara. The trip by train took about 1/2 hour. Gradara is very peaceful and beautiful small village on top of a small mountain. We took a tour in Gradara castle, walked on a pathway on top of the stonewall surrounding the city and had a nice lunch in a small restaurant. Gradara is absolutely worth visiting and great for a half day minitrip.

We returned to Gradara after 10 years and were thrilled to see the many changes. We went on a Thursday evening and enjoyed all the townspeople dressed in period costume acting out scenes. It was aver festive time with many people attending. We also noticed that parked was eased by the many trams transporting tourists right up to the castle entrance. The shops and restaurants I side the castle were busy. The whole evening had a magical feel.

Gradara castle is only 4 km from the beaches of the Adriatic coast, easily accessible with lots of parking places. Wide and well resored, it gives a sense of history and peace at the same time. Also the view of the hills is worth seeing. You can have lunch or dinner in the several restaurants inside the walls, buy typical ceramics and visit the castle itself (with a fee). Fireworks in mid-July.

Surely worth a visit from anyone being near this wonderful magical place. . Lost of history, charm, peace and serenity offered at Gradara.