Circular turrets, impressive square watchtowers and a monotonous shade of sand define Castello Brown (Brown castle in English), seated on its regal thrown at the top of a hill by Italy’s Portofino. A valiant soldier brought up in the 15th Century, the castle has fended off Venetians, Savoyards, Sardinians and Austrians before finally falling before Napoleon’s onslaught. It had since receded behind a thick curtain of Mediterranean fauna enveloping the hillside.

Despite having since been passed between hands in the modern era, the king of old still seeks refuge behind the trees. One would have to break through the heavy, bent boughs of the junipers and hedges to reach the reclusive castle. Ringing the castle’s perimeter too are additional plants to add vibrancy and color to the landscaped space with vine draped pergolas and trellises, rose bushes and tulips in flower boxes. The interiors are a look into a stark contrast between Neo-Gothic architecture and the basic bare stone furnishings in the castle’s beginnings. Basic stone stairwells give way to the famed tile staircase, often occupied by eager couples with a knot tied between their fingers. A site for both cultural and historical immersion, Brown Castle even has the added advantage of its fantastic overviews over the yacht houses and boats.