Beach-side castle can be visited on limited basis

The Castello di S. Severa outside Rome reopens to the public until 4 May, following a closure of more than a decade. Guided tours of the castle will take place on an experimental basis on Sundays and holidays, and entry is free on 1 and 4 May.

However, to avail of free tours, visitors must reserve in advance via the Lazio region website or tel. 800001133.

The castle is located on S. Severa beach about 50 km north of Rome and less than 10km south from the popular resort of S. Marinella, and can be reached by the Civitavecchia train from Rome. Built in the 14th century the castle passed through the hands of numerous owners until becoming the possession of the Order of the Holy Spirit, which owned it for 500 years.

The Lazio region took over the property in 1980 and it is now managed by the local authority of S. Marinella. The president of the region Nicola Zingaretti said that the reopening of the castle represented an occasion of "extraordinary importance." He described the building and its surrounding complex as "an Italian wonder, a place of great charm, history, art and archeology."

For more information see the Regione Lazio website