Odescalchi Castle in Santa Marinella: extraordinary opening

After the great success of the latest edition, the Cultural Association Scrinium Arte in cooperation with the Odescalchi Castle in Santa Marinella has organized an extraordinary opening of the castle gardens.

It is scheduled for next Saturday 21th april from 10 am (first admission) until 5 pm (last admission). Admissions will be every 30 minutes, in groups of maximum 25 people.

Keep in mind: prior booking is necessary (in the information box at the bottom of this page you'll find contact information to book your visit).

In the meantime, keep reading this article to learn more about the history of this beautiful castle and its gardens.

The Odescalchi Castle

Born over the remains of ancient Punicum, the Odescalschi Castle dominates undisputed over the Tourist Port of Santa Marinella.

Built in the 15th century, incorporating an old cylindric tower that was used to protect the small town, the castle was strengthen in the 17th century building some angular bastions.

Its property passed from the Lords di Vico to the Anguillara, from the Orsini to the monks of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in Sassia and finally to the Odescalchi, the current owners, whom the castle is named after.

Since 1887, when prince Baldassare Odescalchi bought it with far-sightedness for little money in an auction, the Castle and the town of Santa Marinella grew enormously. In the fiftees the town became an elegant elite beach resort, loved and frequented by great cinema stars such as Totò, Alberto Sordi, Anna Magnani, Roberto Rossellini, Ingrid Bergman and many others.

The Gardens

The gardens surrounding the Odescalchi Castle are a rare as much as precious example of Mediterranean landscape. Result of the continuos care and attention by the owners, it is a sought-after suggestive venue for events, conventions and weddings. The park was designed between late 19th century and early 20th century, increasing the spontaneous vegetation and taking care of the natural elements already present.

The main characteristic of the flora is the majestic presence of maritime pines and a huge rane of palm trees, as well as agaves and typical Mediterranean bushes (privet, olive trees, pittosporu).

In spring and summer you may attend the spectacular blooming of roses, agapanthus, plumbago, bougainvillea and wisteria with typical violet bunches.

Worth noting the huge cactus from the trips to South America by prince Baldassarre Odescalchi, that bloom gorgeouly by night.