The Forte Sangallo is located in the municipality of Civita Castellana in the province of Viterbo. Today, the castle houses the Falisco Archaeological Museum.
Forte Sangallo Civita Castellana
Address, Opening Hours and Admission Price
The address of the Forte Sangallo is Via del Forte, snc. Tel: +39 0761513735, Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 08.00 to 19.00. Closed: Monday, 1st January, 25th December.
History and description
The castle was built between the 15th and 16th centuries as the residence of Pope Alexander VI Borgia. At the time, it was considered one of the most important fortresses in the area.
It is named after the architects who built it, Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio (the “old”) and Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane (the “young”). The old Antonio was not, as one would think, the father, but the uncle of the younger one.
The uncle had started construction and his nephew was later commissioned by Giulio II della Rovere to complete it.
The castle, which is pentagonal in shape, has five bastions.
The courtyard, the octagonal tower and the portal are the work of the younger member of the family.
In the 19th century, the castle was used as a prison, while during the Second World War it served as a hiding place.
Today, the Falisco Archaeological Museum is housed in the Sangallo Fortress. In the nine rooms of the museum are exhibited objects that were used by to the Falisci civilization and were found during excavations in the area. Today’s Civita Castellana is located on the site of Falerii Veteres, the capital of this tribe.