Castles have always carried an air of mystery, guarding fascinating stories: hidden secrets, traces of distant eras, and tales of nobles, ladies and knights. Across Italy, from north to south, there are castles, fortresses and strongholds that attract thousands of visitors each year, all keen to uncover their history and soak up the atmosphere as they wander through grand halls and silent courtyards. Here is a selection of five Italian castles, some famous, others less well known, but all with a remarkable past.
Ferrara and the Este Castle
The year is 1385. The people of Ferrara, worn down by famine, rise against their rulers in a violent revolt. The uprising is so significant that Nicolò II d’Este, lord of the city, orders the construction of the Great Castle of San Michele, today a symbol of the power of the Este family and of Ferrara itself.
