Erected originally as a watchtower around 1100-1200 by the de Ceccano family, it was subsequently inhabited by various feudal families who followed one another at the head of Maenza, each of which made some improvements to the baronial castle. But the most important changes are due to the Counts of Ceccano who chose it as their residence, transforming it from a simple watchtower to the current Baronial Palace. In 1274 Annibaldo II had St. Thomas Aquinas stay there while passing through on his way to Lyon for the Ecumenical Council called by Pope Gregory. Around 1500 the entire structure was reinforced with the addition of the two towers to be able to resist attacks with firearms.
Since 1965 it has been owned by the Province of Latina and in 1986 the manor was restored and today, visible for free, it is used for cultural initiatives and hosts the Museo del Paesaggio. It consists of four floors and 25 rooms, not to be missed are the drawbridge, the frescoes and the hall of San Tommaso.
The Castle is open only on Saturday and Sunday.
