Back in 2006, film star Tom Cruise married starlet Katie Holmes in a romantic setting at Lago di Bracciano at Odescalchi Castle in Italy. They invited about 150 guests and showed the world the fairytale-like setting that is arguably the envy of many couples with upcoming nuptials. Also Italian musician Eros Ramazzotti also celebrated his first marriage at Odescalchi Castle. He married Swiss model Michelle Hunziker in a ceremony that included a lavish reception for 400 guests and fireworks.
Although the Cruise-Holmes and Ramazzotti-Hunziker marriages are both over, the romance and beauty of the place make their wedding memorable – and provide insight into why people choose this exclusive location – and Italy – as their wedding destination.
Lake Bracciano is conveniently located near Rome and is important in that it provides drinking water for the city. It is highly protected because of its status as a drinking-water source, which makes it one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. With this as a surrounding, an Odescalchi Castle wedding is a spectacular scene. The castle was built in the 15th century, an example of Renaissance military architecture, and functioned as both a military defense structure and a civilian residence during that period. As one of Italy’s best-maintained castles, it has become a tourist attraction, hosting cultural events and housing a museum. More recently, the castle’s popularity has grown considerably as the site of multiple (including the aforementioned) high-profile celebrity wedding.
