Todi Castle - History

History

TodiCastle was built as a watch tower around 1100, during Roman times, in order to protect the Colonia Julia Fida Tuder (Todi Roman name) for the southern boundary line. Torre d'Orlando (former name of the watch tower) was built in a strategic position, to look over the area bounded by the river Tiber, the river Arnata and a famous Roman road, the via Amerina, which linked Todi to Lazio. Its strategic function continued into the Middle Ages. When Desiderius, the last king of the Lombard realm, reigned over Italy. The territory of the Julia colony was granted to the Pope; five hundred years later, in 1275, it became the Diocese of Todi and then the Municipality of Todi.

Several additional towers were built from the 10-13th century and the original tower was incorporated into a fort named TodiCastle. There were three towers in the corners and a large bastion wall to protect the wide territory. Todi flourished in the 13th century.

The food for the animals and the soldiers were stored in very large quantities within the castle and the rain water was collected for drinking. The soldiers lived in the towers and the animals were kept in the open areas. The castle was the key point for all the Northern European pilgrims that used to travel to Rome and soon enough the area became quite wealthy due to commerce and trade. In 1348 the Black Plague struck and later in the mid-14th century the municipality of Todi collapsed.

In the later years, TodiCastle continued to stand as a desolated territory with many abandoned villages, since the plague made the population less. The castle was also abandoned by the warriors and soldiers and then used by the wanderers. During 15th century, the castle was turned into a monastery. A roof was constructed in the courtyard and the space was transformed into a church dedicated to Saints Julietta and Quiricus.

Later, in the 17th century, the monastery was also abandoned and the castle became the object of dispute among several local lords. Lastly, the Landi family of Todi gained ownership of the castle. However, even then the castle remained abandoned for three hundred years. During those years the castle was sacked by hordes of barbarians, and occasionally occupied by bandits.

In the 18th century, the castle was finally acquired by the Paprini family who were the most important landowners in the area of Moruzze and Todi. and then, in 1974, by Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Santoro and since then is owned by the Santoro family.