Palace of beautiful strategy

There are some things, which simply can’t be found in America. A palace is one of those things. A palace fills minds young and old with images of faerie tale weddings, ultra-luxurious homes full of intrigue and happenings and lavishly appointed royal parties. In Castigliano Del Lago there is a palace that was the center of all those things and still looks as though it could continue to do so in modern days.

Castigliano Del Lago was considered such an important strategic position during the middle ages that is was hotly contested by Perugia, Arezzo, Sienna and Firenze. Eventually, in the 12th century, Perugia won out and ordered the reconstruction of the medieval town. It remains now much as it did after that reconstruction, the big difference being that beyond the historic area’s walls (area storico) there is a modern residential zone. The Palazzo Ducale (duke’s palace) is the best example of that reparation.

The palace was actually built from 13th century tower remains in 1563, but those towers’ components dated back even further and would not exist to this day if it weren’t for the medieval reconstruction. The palace is as much a luxurious villa as a defensive structure, and houses as many gorgeous frescoes and paintings as it once housed paranoid royalty-on-the-run.

If you plan on staying in Umbria, stay like royalty in your own palace–figuratively speaking. Check out a villa with Interhome and see what they can offer you.