It takes its name from the artist who created it as his home, Don Gennaro Della Monica.  Born in Teramo, he went to art school in Naples and successfully worked and travelled across Italy. His time in Florence was spent with Giannina Milli, a poet with a taste for romanticism and the exotic who adored nothing better than participating in Middle Ages historical re-enactments.  It is this period that heavily influenced the design and decoration of his ‘manor’ when he returned to his birthplace in 1867.

He built ‘Castello della Monica’ on the site of the ancient church of San Venanzio and Monica reused these ruins in the construction and for decorative elements.  Monica was eager that his neo-gothic glory looked weathered and a building that had withstood time and wear since the medieval period rather than a new build of the 19th century. Its medieval pointed windows, battlements, moats, bastions, small towers and architecture and decor give its Gothic appearance.

The castello reopened in the summer 2022 after being closed for restoration and to remove asbestos.  Website info is still a little patchy but growing!