Rocca Sinibalda: castle and village
Rocca Sinibalda is a medieval fortress that was rebuilt as a fortified Renaissance palace for Alessandro Cesarini. The design is by Baldassarre Peruzzi, and the works began in 1532. The castle stands on a green hill above the valley, with battlemented walls and a tower.
It lies in the Turano valley in the Rieti area. You see the outside of the castle and the village roofs from the village, but you enter the inside only on a guided tour with a reservation. There is no general daily opening for individual visitors.
If you want a guide for the whole region, compare guided tours and day trips around the lakes before you fix the date for the castle.
Guided visits and tickets 2026
The visit options at a glance.
| Option | When | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard guided visit | Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (November to March) or 4 p.m. (April to October); Sunday at 11 a.m. | 1.5 to 2 hours | €14. Children 7 to 14: €8. Up to 6 years: free |
| Organised group | By arrangement, from 15 paying people | 1.5 to 2 hours | Entry €12 for groups of 15 or more |
| Themed guided tour | By arrangement | 2.5 hours | €30 |
| Private tour with aperitif | By arrangement | 2.5 to 3 hours | €600 for up to 12 people, above that €50 per person |
The special offers are separate products and do not come with the standard ticket. For most visitors, the standard weekend tour is the right choice: a fixed time and the lowest price.
The castle is closed on 25 December and 1 January and on days with announced special events. Only small animals are allowed, carried in the arms. Non-commercial photos and films are fine in the areas that are open on the tour. Private visits to areas that are otherwise closed are possible on request.
Our pick: a hike from the municipality of Rocca Sinibalda
This is a nature hike on Mount Navegna that starts in the municipality of Rocca Sinibalda, a way to spend a day outdoors rather than a castle tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trips and tours around the Turano valley
Guided tours around the lakes, Rieti and the Sabine hills, with live prices and availability.
From fortress to palace
The castle shows two layers at once: a medieval fortress and the Renaissance palace that was built on it. The conversion for Alessandro Cesarini started in 1532 to a design by Baldassarre Peruzzi, and the fortified character stayed. That is why the walls look like a defence work while the palace inside follows Renaissance ideas.
Take the outside seriously too. The walls with battlements and the tower stand out against the sky, and the village below is part of the visit.
Plan your visit to Rocca Sinibalda
Four things to sort out first.
Pick the weekend slot
Individual visitors have fixed times: Saturday afternoon and Sunday at 11 a.m. If your trip does not include a weekend, ask about a group or private visit.
Reserve before you travel
A visit is guided and needs a reservation. Do not drive out and hope to walk in. Check the date against special events, because the castle closes on those days.
Without a car
The on-demand bus ChiamaBus from COTRAL stops at Rocca Sinibalda. It runs Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., not on public holidays, and you book it by app or call centre. It does not run on Sundays, so for the Sunday 11 a.m. tour you need another way. Do not take it as a guaranteed direct link from Rieti. See getting there for the rest.
Combine it with the lake
Pair the visit with a stop at Castel di Tora or the Lago del Turano. A Saturday tour at 4 p.m. leaves the evening for the lake, and a Sunday morning tour leaves the afternoon free.
Rocca Sinibalda: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Rocca Sinibalda without a guide?
No. The inside is visited only on a guided tour, and you need a reservation. There is no general daily opening for individual visitors.
How much does a ticket cost?
In 2026 the regular entry is €14. Children aged 7 to 14 pay €8 and children up to 6 years are free. Organised groups of 15 or more pay €12 entry.
When are the tours for individual visitors?
On Saturday at 3:30 p.m. from November to March and at 4 p.m. from April to October. On Sunday at 11 a.m. The castle is closed on 25 December, 1 January and on days with announced special events.
How long does a visit last?
A standard guided visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Themed tours take 2.5 hours and the private tour with aperitif 2.5 to 3 hours.
Can I bring my dog or take photos?
Only small animals are allowed, carried in the arms. Non-commercial photos and films are fine in the areas that are open on the tour.
Is this the official website of the castle or the municipality?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the castle, the lake municipalities or the Lazio region, and it is not connected to any operator, tour company or hotel.