The unique geology of Caprarola with the various districts outlined by trenches – that of Mazzocchio to the east and Pilo or St. Teresa in the west – on different levels, forced Vignola to design large bridges. In order to build the bridge of the Nuns above what is now Piazza Sicilia, several houses in the upper part of the Fornella district were destroyed between 1560 and 1563. In Piazza Sicilia you can clearly see the relevant structures of the imposing Castle of Vico, which have been incorporated into the Palazzo Fusaro.
Located in the square in front of Palazzo Farnese, the church of San Rocco was built in the early sixteenth century, but its present appearance comes from two architectural interventions: one dating from the late sixteenth century, the other from 1616-1618, when the convent of the Augustinian Sisters was built adjoining it. Since 1960 it has been used as a War Memorial and the walls of its interior, a single nave, are largely covered with lime. However, there remain fine stucco and frescoes of the early seventeenth century that decorate the two side chapels and apse. Particularly valuable is the coffered ceiling painted with coats of arms of Cardinal Odoardo Farnese, who commissioned the restoration of the early seventeenth century, and the great Baroque altarpiece, decorated with gilded stucco.
Palazzo Gherardi, at far end of the Via Diretta near the Palazzo Farnese, is today the Town Hall. It was built at the request of Matthias Gherardi from San Cascin. In 1535 he was appointed as the Master General of the Papal post office by Pope Paul III, a position he held until 1575 and for which he may be called the founder of the modern Papal post office. Gherardi oversaw the construction of the Palazzo Farnese and around 1573 began to build a home for himself and his son Marcello in the style of Vignola. The work was completed in 1580. In 1602 the building was purchased by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Discipline and it was turned into a monastery. The transformation of the palace into a monastery was completed in 1611 and it was dedicated to SS. Agostino and Rocco. After 1870 it was confiscated by the Italian State and became the town hall. The Palace, after undergoing many renovations, retains only a rough outline of its original structure. An original feature is the remarkable ashlar portal (stone door surround) with the town’s coat of arms and the façade embellished with various coats of arms and memorial stones.
Turning to the hill Palazzo Farnese stands on, you can see two flights of stairs and a large square below one of the most impressive buildings that has ever been built in Italy. Isolated but, at the same time, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding area, visually connected to the town and dominant over it, the Palace is framed by the Via Diretta which widens as it leads into the square in front of the main facade. The building was commissioned, in the 1520s, by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, the future Pope Paul III. Designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Baldassare Peruzzi, it was conceived as a fortress of pentagonal shape, with scarp walls, huge corner bastions and a moat. Its construction was interrupted around 1534 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese’s appointment as Pope. The resumption of work took place about twenty years later thanks to the eldest grandson of Pope Paul III, who was also Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. His intention was to make his grandfather’s fortress a sumptuous and magnificent residence, entrusting the design to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. In 1573, the year of the architect’s death, the building, considered his masterpiece, was nearly complete. Respecting the pentagonal base, the interior spaces are spread over five floors around a circular courtyard. The best painters of the day worked inside the sumptuous residence and, the themes of the frescoes were inspired by the scholar, Annibal Caro.
Opening times
8:30am to 7:30pm (last entry 6:45pm)
The park closes one hour before sunset.
Park hours detail
January: last entry 3pm (closing 4pm)
February: last admission 3:30pm (closing time 4:30pm)
March*: last entry 4pm (closing 5pm)
April through September: last admission 6pm (closing 7pm)
October*: last admission 5pm (closing time 6pm)
November and December: last admission 3pm (closing time 4pm)
*Until summer/solar time change.
Closed:Mondays
Jan. 1, Dec. 25 except for special openings on MiC project.
In case of inclement weather, the park remains closed.
Tickets:Full € 10.00
Full at closed park € 8.00
Reduced € 2.00 (EU citizens 18 to 25 years old)
Free (0 to 18 years old)
Additional concessions and free admission can be found on the Mic website.
Tickets can be purchased in cash at the museum ticket office.
The introduction of electronic payment is being completed.
According to Decree Law June 1, 2023, No. 61, Art. 14, extended by Decree Law Aug. 10, 2023, No. 105, Art. 10, from June 15 to Dec. 15, the indicated rates will be increased by 1 euro to support the flooded areas of Emilia Romagna.
Visits:Free visit. Presence of information panels in Italian and English.
Groups of maximum 35 people plus guide are allowed to enter. The use of radio guidance systems (whisper) is recommended and mandatory for groups over 25 people.
For Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, reservations are required for groups at the dedicated number +39 0761 646052, Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm.
Length of visit:About 2 hours
Tips for your visit:It is recommended to arrange the visit taking into account the access times to the park.
Inside the gardens and monumental park, it is recommended to wear comfortable footwear suitable for paths with unevenness and unevenness.
It is possible to take photos without flash and without a tripod for personal use only.
Animals are prohibited except guide dogs for the blind and service dogs for people with disabilities.
There are vending machines for water, snacks and hot drinks at the ticket office.
How to get there:By car – from Rome: exit Cassia Veientana of the GRA. From the A1 highway: exit Magliano Sabina (for those coming from the south), exit Attigliano or Orte (for those coming from the north).
By bus – direct connections from Rome-Saxa Rubra or from Viterbo and surrounding areas.
Parking:There are free and paid parking lots in the immediate vicinity, as well as a multi-story parking lot at 99 Pietro Belli Street.
A bus and RV parking lot is located about 500 m from the museum.
Access:For visitors with reduced mobility, there is a dedicated entrance on Via San Rocco, which gives direct access to the Piano Nobile and the Winter Garden (please contact +39 0761 646052 before arrival).
