Top 4 Castles around Ponzano Romano

Busson Tower, also known as Morolo Castle, is an ancient ruined structure located near Rignano Flaminio, in the province of Rome, in an area of great environmental value in the Roman countryside. It is a fascinating medieval site, often shrouded in mystery, overlooking a secluded valley and offering inspiration for historical and naturalistic excursions. The tower likely dates back to the 10th century, first mentioned in a diploma of Emperor Otto III in 996, where a place called "Mauroro" is mentioned. Over the centuries, the castle passed under the control of various noble families: from the Savellis in the Middle Ages, to the Tascas (1449), Mutis (1573), Scapuccis (1591), until Marcantonio Borghese, who purchased it in 1611, along with the territory of Rignano. Reduced to a farmhouse over time, it was the subject of archaeological investigations in the 1960s, which revealed layers of medieval and Renaissance collapse, an underground cistern, brick floors with gutters (perhaps part of a residential building), and a necropolis with east-west oriented burials, dating between the late Roman period and the 5th century AD. Near the tombs, a small structure emerged, interpreted as a funerary chapel, perhaps connected to the "cella S. Stefani" mentioned in monastic documents from 996.

A lovely little place. If you're nearby, it's worth a stop.

"On a narrow tuff saddle stands the fortified village, inhabited already in pre-Roman times and reoccupied in the Middle Ages during the barbarian invasions, then abandoned in the modern era because it is far from important communication routes. Its ruins, represented by the tower, the church, from the walls and doors and from the rock dwellings, they emerge from the vegetation and the tuff cliffs in an imposing way, giving this place a mysterious character".

"Following the repeated barbarian invasions first, and of the Saracens afterwards, Selci was founded, which takes its name from the nearby Roman road which was, in fact, paved with large flint paving stones. Therefore, following the destruction of Forum Novum , the population, seeking refuge, built the village at the top of a hill. Consequently, the town was fortified with walls and, subsequently, this simple urban agglomeration was transformed into a castrum. From a castle, Selci became a municipality and, when the Church of Rome expanded its possessions, the inhabitants of Selci also swore their subjection to the pope. Today, its surrounding walls and the mighty tower which develops with a square plan and which still dominates Selci are, almost certainly, the ancient vestiges depicting the first fortification of the ancient Silicij castrum. Once past the urban gate, you enter its historic centre, where you can admire the Church dedicated to the Holy Savior and, on the left side, the tourist's view will be attracted by a small square with a tower. Even if combined with late constructions, you can still admire the old walls that defended the entire town". https://www.scoprilasabina.it/cosa-vedere/selci/

Beautiful village above the Tiber

Excellent place for a quiet break before leaving again

The Orsini di Fiano Romano ducal castle was built between 1489 and 1493 on commission of Niccolò III Orsini, count of Pitigliano, Sovana and Nola. The Castle took on the name of Castello ducale only in the seventeenth century, when the fief of Fiano passed from the Orsini family to Caterina de 'Nobili. It was in fact the son of Caterina de 'Nobili, Cardinal Francesco Sforza, who after receiving the fiefdom as a gift from his mother in 1606 had Fiano built as a duchy with a bull of Pope Paul V of 18 July 1608.

Ruins of an ancient castle within easy reach