History of Tuscia : The Ancient Kingodom of Tuscia

The Dukedom of Castro, in which Santa Cristina’s estates are situated, started in 1535 thanks to Pope Paolo III Farnese. The boundary of the Kingdom, in the shape of a large triangle, had its point in the North East by the town of Acquapendente, the west side stretched South towards the Tirrenian sea and the beautiful island of Argentario. From here the base of the triangle was formed by the coastline until it met the river Marta and the East side of the triangle went North back to Acquapendente dissecting lake Bolsena on the way.

The fairy tale Castle is most romantic with its castellated turret rising above age old woods. It has a long association with powerful Prelates who played a key role in forming the ‘Vatican State’ which culminated in Pope Pius IX's chief advisor, Cardinal Prospero Caterini, choosing the castle in 1848 as his personal residence. His descendants still use this as a country home.

During the centuries, the history of the noble Caterini family has often been linked with that of the Pacellis' - both wealthy and important families from the village of Onano.

The healthy environment of the area of Santa Cristina was often suggested by doctors as a good place to recuperate from the stressful and hard life in the Vatican City. This is why Eugenio Pacelli, (who was to become Pope Pius XII) during his summer vacations as a young priest, often came to this area in order to spend his free time with his Pacelli and Caterini relatives.