Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola
Caprarola, Italy
A five-sided Renaissance palace by Vignola at the top of Caprarola’s main street, with frescoed halls, a spiral staircase and terraced gardens behind. Park lower down in the village; the street is steep and narrow.
The Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola, also called Villa Farnese, stands above the town about 50 km north-west of Rome. Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, the future Pope Paul III, acquired the estate in 1504. On pentagonal fortress foundations, probably dating from 1515 to 1530, Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola built the palace for the family from 1559 and worked on it until his death in 1573. At its centre is a circular courtyard lined with columns.
The Scala Regia, a spiral staircase rising through three floors, was frescoed by Antonio Tempesta. The Sala dei Fasti Farnesiani is the work of Taddeo and Federico Zuccari, and the Sala del Mappamondo was completed in 1574. Behind the palace lie parterre gardens with box topiary and fountains, as well as a garden with a casino. The palace is state-owned and open to visitors; the casino and gardens are one of the residences of the Italian president, so check beforehand what can be visited.
The palace has a pentagonal plan; according to Atlas Obscura, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Baldassare Peruzzi were involved in the early work. The Scala Regia follows the model of Bramante’s staircase in the Belvedere and is wide enough for a mule or horse. The splendid rooms include the Sala d’Ercole and the Sala degli Angeli, known for its unusual acoustics.
- Nearest town
- Caprarola, Italy
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 42.3265, 12.2375
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping NaturaCampsite3 km from Palazzo Farnese, CaprarolaTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Area sosta camper VitorchianoMotorhome stopover17 km from Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Lacastellina15Campsite18 km from Palazzo Farnese, CaprarolaTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping InternazionaleCampsite20 km from Palazzo Farnese, CaprarolaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Parco del LagoCampsite23 km from Palazzo Farnese, CaprarolaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping AzzurroCampsite24 km from Palazzo Farnese, CaprarolaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola?
Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola is in Caprarola, Italy, at GPS 42.3265, 12.2375. It is about 15 km from Viterbo.
Can you camp near Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Natura, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 19 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola?
Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Tuscia: monsters, villas and Etruscan tombs north of Rome.
What is there to see near Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola?
Places worth a stop nearby: Villa Lante (13 km), Sacred Grove of Bomarzo (Park of the Monsters) (18 km), Bridge of Augustus, Narni (32 km) and Civita di Bagnoregio (35 km).
When is the best time to visit Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)