In the heart of Italy, 7 km from Senigallia, the first Roman imperial colony on the Adriatic Sea, sits the majestic Palazzo Antonelli Augusti Martines, also known familiarly as ‘Palazzo Antonelli Augusti Martines with its 100 windows’ for its distinctive features. Perched on a millennial hill, this splendid residence destined for princes and cardinals was built on a Roman castrum dating back to 150 B.C. It later became a monastery in the 13th century and subsequently a castle in the 16th century, at the behest of the ancient and powerful family of the Antonelli Counts of Gubbio and Pergola.
In 1759, Count Nicola Antonelli, who became a cardinal under Pope Clement XIII, doubled the size of the castle. He commissioned a team of renowned artists and architects from Rome, including Vanvitelli and his pupil Andrea Vici for the architectural project, Felice Giani and Francesco Smuglewicz for the ceiling and wall decorations, and Francesco Mancini, Domenico Corvi, Pompeo Batoni, Carlo Maratta and Countess Laurentina Castracane degli Antelminelli for the artistic embellishments. The Countess, a descendant of the great military leader Castruccio Castracane, received the palazzo as a dowry from her uncle, Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli, Secretary of State to Pope Pius IX, upon her marriage to Count Augusto Augusti, a member of one of Italy’s oldest noble families.
In the 20th century, the palazzo served as the summer residence of the Augusti counts, including three notable figures: Count Umberto, a Grand Officer of the Cavalry and a highly decorated Division General; painter Nori de Nobili, today recognised as one of the most important Italian artists of the 20th century; and Count Gino, grandfather of the current owners, who had a versatile career in Italy as a military and political strategist. He was highly decorated on the battlefield, earning gold, silver and bronze medals for Military Valour during the Libyan campaign and both World Wars. He also served as the mayor of Corinaldo and was the first mayor to be named after the liberation of Trecastelli. Count Gino was proud to welcome many distinguished guests and friends to his residence, including Winston Churchill, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Francesco Baracca and Ernest Hemingway.
The monumental complex, which is surrounded by a park and a two-hectare centuries-old wood, contains the Gentilizia Church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and Saint Timotea. It remains consecrated to this day, offering plenary indulgences and housing a family crypt. The uniqueness of this historical residence, which has hosted popes and influential philosophers over the centuries, lies in its solemn and austere exterior in brick and Istrian stone and in the extraordinary tempera decorations on the ceilings, which have earned the property the title of “Domus Aurea” in the Marche region. The palazzo is home to two important National Associations: the 7th Lancers Cavalry Army (‘Arma di Cavalleria 7 Lancieri di Milano’), chaired by Count Giovanni, and the “Gino Augusti 900” House Museum, which collects extraordinary memorabilia of prominent national and international personalities.
Palazzo Antonelli Augusti Martines today
Many activities and events take place annually in this historic complex, from concerts to book presentations, and from exhibitions to debates, involving important cultural personalities at a national level. In addition, the location is used for videos, commercials and weddings, and is an ideal setting for photographic and film sets.
Accommodation
Is available in two distinct structures: the “Locanda della Cavalleria”, a small 17th-century palazzo with two apartments and two mini suites, and “Domus Augusti” on the ground floor of the palazzo with three superior suites. Breakfast is served in the secular park or in the ‘Sala del Trono’ throne room.
Visite
Il palazzo è aperto al pubblico esterno ed è visitabile per un gruppo minimo di 15 persone su prenotazione tutti i weekend dell’anno. All’interno del palazzo c’è la Casa Museo Gino Augusti 900, la chiesa Gentilizia del Vanvitelli e le cantine e grotte di epoca romana.
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