Clinging to the top of a massive ophiolite outcrop consisting of serpentine rock, the medieval fortress of Pompeano can be reached by climbing up a short ramp which leads up the rock from the village below.

The feudal palace stands within the fortified perimeter walls, accessed through a gateway with ogival arch. The main hall of the palace is decorated with the coats of arms of two branches of the Cesi family, from nearby Gombola and from Rome. The palace features two superimposed orders of simple, trilithic windows probably dating back to the 13th century, as well as a somewhat incongruous portico in the neo-Gothic style dating back to the 19th century; it stands opposite the Church of Saint Geminianus on the Rock, which has recently been restored following a long period of semi-abandonment.

castello di pompeano serramazzoni

Within the walls, there is a square-shaped watchtower standing at the highest point, and, near the gateway, separate from the church, an 18th century bell tower; there is also a round dovecote tower inside the walls. The castle stands in a dominant position overlooking the valley of the River Cervaro, opposite the spectacular rockface known as the Devil’s Spade, and is naturally defended on three sides by the sheer rock face, and on one side by crenellated walls.

According to sources, as early as the end of the 12th century Pompeano was already part of the lands which came under the Da Gomola family, the feudal lords of Lombard origin who were lords of the county of Gombola. By 1416, the Da Gomola family had died out, and Nicolò III d’Este granted the village and castle to the Cesis family, who retained them until 1796. The new feudal lords used the castle as their permanent residence only for a short period, following which they stayed in Pompeano only occasionally, preferring the castle of Gombola, until its collapse in 1597, and thereafter the palace of Talbignano, as their permanent residences. Because the castle was only used occasionally, it was never completely transformed from military-residential to exclusively residential. Thanks to this, we today have the rare opportunity to observe a medieval fortress in its original layout, characterised by the presence of a large clearing within the walls, which served a very functional purpose during times of war. 

The castle can be visited by contacting Mr Pier Luigi Piumi on +39 0536 952797