GRADOLI.

The origins of Gradoli are late medieval when the castle was built, legend has it that the entrance to the castle could only be reached by a staircase of steps (gradus in Latin) hence Gradoli.

It became the summer residence of Pope Paul III, who had the Farnese Palace of Gradoli built on top of what remained of the medieval castle, a gift of Matilda of Canossa to the Papacy, designed by Antonio di Sangallo.

Today it houses the Farnese Costume Museum and the National Center for Farnese Family Studies.