Genazzano is one of the towns closest to San Vito Romano, just a few kilometres away by road: a long, narrow town built at 375 metres above sea level on a spur of volcanic tuff, with its houses lined up along a single ridge that climbs to the castle. For centuries it was one of the most important fiefs of the Colonna, who from here controlled the route between Rome and Naples.
At the top of the town rises Colonna Castle, towering over the houses with its great bulk. Begun as a medieval fortress, it was turned into a noble residence by Oddone Colonna, born in Genazzano around 1369, who became pope in 1417 as Martin V: the pontiff who ended the Great Western Schism and brought the papal seat back to Rome for good. He was also responsible for the aqueduct that carried water to the palace and to the town’s fountains. The castle is reached across a bridge, beyond which lie the loggia and the courtyard; today the building is the centre of the town’s cultural life and hosts exhibitions and events, including those of the CIAC, the Centre for Contemporary Art.
From the castle you walk down the main street among palaces, doorways and alleys looking out over the valley, past the churches of San Paolo, San Giovanni, Santa Croce and San Nicola, as far as Porta Romana. Halfway along the town is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio, a destination for pilgrims from all over the world, and in the valley below the castle is Bramante’s Nymphaeum: each has its own page in the Places section.
Genazzano is also famous for its Infiorata, held every year on the first Sunday of July and dating back to 1883: the streets of the old town are covered with a long carpet of petals, which in 2012 entered the Guinness World Records with more than 1,600 square metres. At the table, the town is known for gnocchi, ciambelline al vino (wine biscuits) and Cesanese wine.
Opening hours and contacts
Colonna Castle
According to the municipality, the castle museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. There is an admission charge and visits must be booked by email.
Email: museo.quadreria@genazzano.org
Phone: +39 06 955791 (town hall switchboard)
Address: Piazza San Nicola 4, Genazzano (Rome)
During exhibitions and events the opening hours may differ: it is best to ask for confirmation when booking.
Bramante’s Nymphaeum
The nymphaeum is always open and access is free.
Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio
The basilica is open every day from 7:00 am to 12:45 pm and from 3:00 to 6:45 pm (until 7:45 pm in summer time). Mass times and contacts are on the sanctuary page.
Sources: Municipality of Genazzano, pages Castello Colonna and Ninfeo Bramante (checked in October 2026).
Photo: Frederick Sporchia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Gigi er Gigliola, CC0; Lince16, CC BY 3.0.