Mandela and Ancient Origins
Nestled in the lush greenery of the Mandela countryside, the Castle is a monument that spans the centuries, carrying with it a rich historical and cultural legacy. This majestic fortress, with origins dating back to ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, has been a point of reference for artists, intellectuals and travellers.
The history of this place begins in the 5th century BC, when the area was inhabited by the Equi, an ancient people of the central Apennines. After the Roman conquest in 304 BC, it was the poet Horace who made this land famous, celebrating its serenity during his walks along the Licenza stream.
Subsequently, Mandela held a strategic position above the military and trade routes between Rome and the Adriatic Sea on the other side of Italy.
It increased its importance alsobeacouse of Subiaco. Subiaco, a center of Roman splendor with Nero's famous villa, which later became a place of great spirituality with the foundation of the twelves Benedictine abbeys. During the Middle Ages, the powerful Orsini family fortified the valley of the Aniene River by building a tower and a castle to control the Tiburtina below.
A noble transformation
In the 17th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese family Nuñes Sanchez, the Castle was transformed into a stately home. But it was in the 19th century, with Julie Bonaparte, great-granddaughter of Napoleon and wife of the Marquis Alessandro del Gallo di Roccagiovine, that the Castle became a place of extraordinary cultural importance. Julie and Alessandro, patrons of the arts and promoters of intellectual freedom, hosted a renowned international literary salon here. Surrounded by a magnificent landscaped park, once the countryside and farm of Horace's summer villa, the Castle became a symbol of harmony between nature and culture.
The Hidden Geometry: The Italian Formal Garden
The Italian Formal Garden, perched on the medieval “roof” of the del Gallo Castle, was created in the 17th century by order of the Nuñes Sanchez family. Designed according to the scheme of the Garden of Paradise, with axes crossing towards the cardinal points and rigorous geometric hedges, it uses medieval cisterns for irrigation, a legacy of Persian and Islamic tradition. The suggestive Belvedere offers a spectacular panoramic view, immortalized in Hackert's ideal views.
In the 19th century, the Gallo family and Julie Bonaparte gave the garden its current appearance, keeping the main lines intact and adding two French-style “jardin d'hiver” to the sides of the main building. Today, the formal structure, four quadrants bordered by well-pruned hedges creates a harmonious contrast with the surrounding agricultural scenery.
A heritage to share
Today, the del Gallo family opens the Castle and Gardens to the public, with the aim of preserving and sharing this precious heritage with future generations. Walking in these places means immersing yourself in a history of poetry, art and nature, which continues to enchant anyone who sets foot there.
