Sleep like a queen in a 1,000 year old castle! Castel di Luco is said to be built on a sacred forest where Pagan rites were celebrated because of the magical waters lurking below. Evidence of the castle goes back as far as 1052 and has survived religious rulers, aristocratic families, invasions, liberations, prisoners, murders, births, marriages and no doubt illicit love affairs fit for a modern day romance novel. Throughout all this time, it has maintained its status as one of the rarest and most unique castles in Italy’s Piceno region, with a surprisingly intact appearance as a medieval architectural structure. We were invited to stay as part of Italy Charme, who also enjoys finding the unusual out of the ordinary. Fortunately I had packed my best deep blue squire looking outfit oddly enough. Until the year 1800, Luco from the Latin “lucus”, transformed into a noble residence and housed the Ciucci family, when the last heiress, Maria, was married to Giuseppe Amici. Their direct descendants own and manage the property today. A decade ago, it operated as an informal restaurant, where the mother of proprietor Francesco Amici cooked simple meals for visitors. But like much in the area, it was severely damaged in the 6.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Norcia in 2016. And like other owners in the region, Francesco and Laura Amici used the destructive event as an opportunity to create a castle experience like no where else in the world for the most reasonable rates.
Explore a journey through time with all the comforts of home at Castel di Luco. This Italian castle located on the countryside of the Marche and Abruzzo, Italy border down a twisting driveway leads you to a place where time stands still. About 3 hours northwest of Rome exists an 1,000 year old oasis of peace and beauty that offers indelible emotions to anyone who crosses its gates. A castle surrounded by greenery, impeccably renovated, wonderful frescoes in the dining rooms overlooking the mountains. The owner who is primarily in charge, Francesco Amici and his amazing pastry chef sister Laura, along with a lone goat Aida who has adopted the castle as her home after her furry family died tragically, make this whimsical moment of history even warmer inside the stone walls. This was part of the second leg of our Italy press trip with Italy Charme, a boutique brand offering unique experiences throughout Italy. Unfortunately for us, it was raining almost the whole time but we did manage to grab some great photos and as soon as we were checked in, I zoomed around the whole space capturing Nikon photographs until I was spent. I then lay on the bed at the top of the tower with the windows wide open and a cross breeze blowing, staring at the stone ceiling and walls, wondering what lore this magical space had in store.
To put it lightly, this is an experience you must have at least once in your life. A wonderful place suspended in time, it’s like stepping back into the Middle Ages, accompanied by the owner’s stories and delighted by the delicacies prepared by his sister. Castel di Luco is an enchanting place with an ancient history that can be discovered in every corner, nook and cranny. Francesco with his warm, caring eyes was very demure for owning such a grand property. Before Covid, the government offered his family $15 Million Euros for it. You can only imagine what it’s worth today! He also delighted telling us tales of its history (with our fearless translator Felipe) touring all its secrets and he also lights up when you keep eating their delicious homemade Italian food. The castle has recently been renovated and restored with thoughtful touches, taste and care. The second floor rooms have beautiful frescos painted on the ceiling while the top two bedrooms are like castle chambers, where me and my pastry chef friend stayed. Impressive for a castle, the rooms are spotlessly clean, comfortable beds and complimentary slippers, robe, toiletries, hairdryer, etc. Just don’t forget your electricity converter if coming from the USA. The breakfast was excellent, with homemade cakes, sweets, endless cappuccino and thick juices. Let’s get inside the castle!
We’re starting at the top of the tower or Castel di Luco.My room was Vincenza which is in tribute the many women who worked for Castel di Luco.With both windows open, a lovely cross breeze on a rainy day at Castel di Luco. The modern heat thermostat got it spicy in there!Two rooms are at the top of the tower and very similar designs and many flights of stairs at Castel di Luco.The bathroom at Castel di Luco which was completely adequate for my needs. The hairdryer came in clutch with the rain!My bed at Castel di Luco was fresh, clean and comfortable.Facing towards the courtyard and the other journalists rooms down below at Castel di Luco.My room had a second floor with more steps at Castel di Luco.A couch for lounging or perhaps you throw another guest up there or do some work at the desk at Castel di Luco.Looking down from the second floor at Castel di Luco.The couch seems big enough for an adult to lay flat at Castel di Luco.In keeping with castle couture, each room had a fancy key at Castel di Luco.Going down the stairs at Castel di Luco, you can see some of the original architecture.On the second floor of Castel di Luco, the main floor.This antique rocking chair guarded the second floor steps at Castel di Luco.The original dining room at Castel di Luco with family portraits surrounding the room.Looking down into the courtyard out the window at Castel di Luco.Another communal room on the second floor at Castel di Luco.Looking out this window to the valley below at Castel di Luco.The communal room from the window at Castel di Luco.A better view of the whole window in the mirror at Castel di Luco.I would like a painting like this in my house to remember Castel di Luco.I have a thing for creepy dolls that may or may not be haunted at Castel di Luco.This one was certainly more creepy at Castel di Luco.From the second floor courtyard at Castel di Luco.The fireplace the family used to fight over at Castel di Luco.Alcohol is offered on an honor system at Castel di Luco. Don’t drink too much though as those steps are everywhere!The sink next to the fireplace at Castel di Luco. Hint: If you don’t want to hear footsteps at 3 a.m., stay on the third floor like I did!A lounge area at Castel di Luco with teas and water available anytime.Back where we entered and hung our umbrellas at Castel di Luco.Walking back into the courtyard from the ground floor at Castel di Luco.I always love door handles in Europe and at Castel di Luco.Don’t miss this great crest that is smiling at the bottom at Castel di Luco.Grabbing all the courtyard shots I can before the rain came again at Castel di Luco.Our guide’s room was to the left here and had a bathtub at Castel di Luco.I went through every walkway I could see at Castel di Luco.This one popped into a water source at Castel di Luco.And lots of old equipment lines the walls at Castel di Luco.Enjoying the small structural details of Castel di Luco.When we checked in, the office is here at Castel di Luco.Grab your key from the host behind the desk at Castel di Luco.Francesco’s parents at Castel di Luco. His mom kind of looks like me!Heading outside the huge front doors at Castel di Luco.Looking to the left outside of Castel di Luco.And to the right at Castel di Luco.The official sign outside Castel di Luco.Back up the steps, the rocking horse was looking at me at Castel di Luco.And behind the steps, the original bathroom which I’m glad they kept at Castel di Luco.The separation of new versus old foundation at Castel di Luco.There was a room behind ye olde bathroom and I stuck my lens in there at Castel di Luco.This was the original jail right by the door at Castel di Luco. That’s a bench for sleeping and chains for shackling!This helped me a lot at Castel di Luco, it’s a circle so you can’t get lost! We squeezed in a quick photoshoot too.Back towards the room with farming equipment, we went on a tour at Castel di Luco.A legit pool of water at Castel di Luco, perhaps I should have dunked myself in the Pagan magical waters.The grape mill where they made the most delicious sweet red wine at Castel di Luco.Francesco himself at Castel di Luco. Not the best lighting here, it kind of became a photo gang bang.Dinner among the frescos at Castel di Luco.Stepping out to another patio behind the dining room at Castel di Luco.I tried one more time to capture a great portrait but he’s a bit blue, sorry friend at Castel di Luco.This was me popping out at night for that blue sky photo at Castel di Luco.Viewpoints all across the castle because of enemies at Castel di Luco.A wall with windows and climbing stones at Castel di Luco.Into the wine cellar we went next at Castel di Luco.Huge barrels and jugs of wine remain at Castel di Luco.Even a secret tunnel that the government blocked off at Castel di LucoI dare you to drink all these antique wines at Castel di Luco.Well stocked with wine they do not make here at Castel di Luco.It’s really a whole historical vibe down here at Castel di Luco.Soon we started back through where the new dining rooms are at Castel di Luco.Loving the blues that happen at night at Castel di Luco.Lots of dining available at Castel di LucoThis was the poop room that they would fill, then empty out, replace the bricks and rinse and repeat at Castel di Luco.And this is the poop shoot it came out from upstairs at Castel di Luco. Imagine that smell!The original pager as you would yell in this hole to reach people at the top at Castel di Luco.A better view of the dining room with my cell phone at Castel di Luco.For most dinners, you have aperitivo or starters to open the stomach first with a sparkling drink which I can get used to at Castel di Luco.I rarely meet bubbles I don’t like at Castel di Luco.This wine pronounced cho-cho like a train, was refreshing and light at Castel di Luco.Cheese puffs in bread was a delightful new experience for me at Castel di Luco.Local olive oil seems to be a family favorite at Castel di Luco.A plate of meat and cheeses is also traditional at Castel di Luco.It was at this time, we discovered a baby black scorpion at Castel di Luco. Some had nightmares but we have tan ones in Arizona so I was unphased!More tasty cho-cho wine at Castel di Luco.Polenta with mushrooms was a filling hit at Castel di Luco.A plate full of herbs and pork at Castel di Luco.Potatoes perfectly golden to the tastebuds at Castel di Luco.Some red wine for this course at Castel di Luco.And the most potent, delicious red wine for digestivo (after dinner digestive) that was a bit addicting for me at Castel di Luco.A very crusty sweet pastry that when dunked in wine was delicious as the table chanted “Dunk it!” at Castel di Luco.Each dinner was by candlelight and low lighting which I loved that touch at Castel di Luco.The breakfasts at Castel di Luco were a nice spread of everything you can think of.This table was dangerous to me at Castel di Luco so many sweets!And the protein table sure to get your gains going at Castel di Luco.When we went for outings, I finally caught the goat with my Nikon at Castel di Luco.She was adopted by the Amici family after her furry family died at Castel di Luco.A view from Castel di Luco far away.A zoomed in view of Castel di Luco. If it wasn’t raining, there were paths around the castle to meander.Looking up at the castle Castel di Luco from the front where you drive in.And to the right where the steps are at Castel di Luco. It is not accessible unless you have someone to carry you so heads up!On another day, our goat hanging out front at Castel di Luco.Our last dinner started with a social hour of alcoholic and non-alcoholic juice drinks at Castel di Luco.Since we all had to get up early the next morning, few imbibed in this tasty white wine at Castel di Luco.A medley of fried food at Castel di Luco which some were sweet like dessert.I especially liked the fried olives at Castel di Luco.And the best lasagna of my life at Castel di Luco! It was light and airy not like the American slop we eat.A plate of lamb and olives, very common of the area at Castel di Luco.I already feel a longing for this magical place at Castel di Luco and know I will be back someday soon!
There’s so much beauty and history contained within the castle’s circular walls which seems confusing at first but you acclimate fast as you make yourself at home. Castel di Luco serves as an ideal base for exploring the enchanting Marche region and the wider central Italy. Known for its rolling hills, pristine coastlines, medieval villages, and rich artistic heritage, Marche offers a diverse array of experiences. From hiking in the Sibilline Mountains to discovering ancient Roman ruins, or indulging in exquisite local wines and truffles (we went truffle hunting nearby), the region promises adventure and cultural enrichment. The location provides easy access to both natural wonders and historical treasures, inviting guests to embark on unforgettable excursions and create lasting memories. Go explore more castles!
