Catajo Castle – the largest private residence in Italy

History and description

Built in the 1570s by Pio Enea I degli Obizzi to celebrate his noble lineage, the castle consists of about 350 rooms decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti. Over the centuries, it belonged to the Este family of Modena and later to the Habsburgs, before becoming, in 2016, the property of Sergio Cervellin. Access to the residence is through a grand avenue leading to the so‑called Courtyard of the Giants—once filled with water to stage naval battles—and to the Garden of Delights, which hosts one of the first American sequoias imported into Europe.

Curiosities

The castle is tied to the legend of Lucrezia Obizzi, the so‑called Blue Lady, whose blood, after her assassination in 1654, was said to have been preserved within the castle, allowing her ghost to wander its rooms to this day.

Access

Open daily with varying hours depending on the season (closed on Mondays and public holidays), the castle can be visited at the cost of €9, with free entry and specific reductions available. Guided tours can also be booked. Paid parking is available nearby.

How to reach it

The castle can be reached by car via the A13 motorway toward the Euganean Spas, by train from Battaglia Terme station, by bus from Padua, or even by bicycle and boat.

Immersed in a splendid natural setting, Catajo Castle is the perfect blend of history, nature, and mystery, offering visitors the chance to step back into the past.

Photo credits: Marcok (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0