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In the mid-twelfth-century the Annibaldi built a primitive fortress in Sermoneta. The location was strategically important because of its closeness to the Appian Way, Rome, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Only two of the original fortress' towers remain. The foundations of the Hall of the Barons are also attributed to this fortress. The fortress included a large cistern which collected rain water from the roofs of the buildings.

In 1298 Pietry (Peter) Caetani (a nephew of Pope Bonifacio VIII) paid the Annibaldi 140 thousand gold florins for the fiefs of Sermoneta and Bassiano. In October 1297 Anagni Catenazio, a military nobleman and solicitor of the Caetani, appeared at the entrance of the fortress. The door was immediately opened. Catenazio touched it, closed it, and reopened it taking ritual possession.

The Caetani enlarged the fortress. The most important building was the Hall of the Barons (also known as the Hall of the Lords) which they built adjacent to the main tower. Sermoneta reached its golden peak during the period of Onorato III Caetani when many of its buildings were constructed. The castle's wine cellars were very well stocked. It is said that during a visit by the Austrian emperor Federico III in 1452, his soldiers were permitted to have a free hand in the wine-cellars were they "ended in wine up to their knees."

Pope Alexander VI confiscated the Caetani estates, gaving them to his son Cesare Borgia the Duke of Valentinois. Alexander gave the castle itself to his daughter Lucrezia Borgia. In 1494, Nicola II, a son of Onorato III died by poisoning. His death is attributed to Cesare Borgia who later besieged Sermoneta. After fierce fighting Sermoneta surrendered to the Borgia and what was once a strategic fortress became the most powerful and impregnable fortress of the Lazio region. Five concentric walls were added to the fortress, the main tower was lowered by one floor, and the town walls were strengthened by adding semi-circular towers. Five years later the Caetani regained their fief.

Towards the middle of the sixteenth-century architect Giacomo Castriotto was entrusted with the reinforcement of the fortress and the town. He strengthened the most undefended area by adding a structure in the shape of a pincer, the first example of its kind.

After surviving the battle of Lepanto against the Turks in 1572, Onorato IV Caetani erected a church to the Virgin Mary, the church of the Madonna della Vitoria, on the road descending form the castle.

In 1798 French troupes occupied the castle and took the castle's large collection of armory. Among the weapons was a beautiful parade sword of Cesare Borgia which was acquired after getting rid of the Borgias. The armory also included 500 iron armours, helmets, halberds and, 40 bronze cannon.

With the death of Donna Lelia Caetani in 1977, the main branch of the family ended. The castle is now part of the Roffredo Caetani Foundation.

Between April and May the castle is occupied by UNESCO restorers who continue the restoration started at the beginning of the twentieth-century by Gelasio Caetani, an architect, historian, and hero of WWI.

Concerts are held in July in the Piazza d'Armi by some of the most well known contemporary artists and orchestras. During this period courses are held for young musicians. Guided tours of the castle are available throughout the year.

More on the history of Sermoneta.