Aragonese Castle

The Aragonese castle of Castro stands on a promontory, protected on one side by the sea and on the other by a steep embankment.

The imposing manor is inscribed in the north-west corner of the mighty walls of the acropolis.

The oldest plant dates to the classical period; the recently completed restoration work clearly identifies the Messapian foundations and leaves open the hypothesis that the entire defensive system arose along the ancient Liburnian-Illyrian or Pelasgian circuit (1,700 BC).

Remodeled by the Romans, it later became a Byzantine and, later, Norman stronghold.

In the second half of the thirteenth century, Charles I of Anjou included the castle of Castro, together with the fortresses of Ostuni, Taranto, Ugento and Torremaggiore, among those of greater strategic importance at national level, due to the combination of natural defenses and military architecture.

In 1480, following the sacking of Otranto, the city was invaded by the Turks and the castle was partially destroyed. Invasions and destruction continued until 1573.

It was the noble family of the Gattinara (feudal lords of the county) who attended to the reconstruction of the fortress, starting from 1575, creating a new quadrilateral defensive structure, strengthened by four bastions and an embankment.

New and repeated damage subsequently forced the Spanish viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo to further strengthen the structure. The Sienese architect Tiburzio Spannocchi designed the complete restructuring of the defensive structure, with the construction of the bastion to protect the Porta Terra, the imposing south tower, called "Torre Catalano", and a characteristic fortified enclosure with an elongated hexagonal layout, equipped with bulwarks and curtain towers at strategic points.

Over the following centuries, Castro became an insecure city and for this reason the inhabitants decided to move inland, abandoning it to the desolation and neglect of relentless time.

When, at the end of the 19th century, it was repopulated, the castle was literally "squandered"; its stones were used for the construction of new buildings, so much so that in 1780 it was described as dilapidated and semi-destroyed by the bishop of the city, Monsignor Del Duca. He addressed a petition to King Ferdinand IV for the castle to be restored by the State Treasury. The prelate's arguments were so convincing and full of information that he managed to convince the king.

During the Second World War the Castle was used as a place to observe the marina and the Otranto canal; in the same years the south-west sector and the corner tower used as the residence of the count's family collapsed.

Currently, the castle is perfectly restored and usable, thanks to a series of important interventions wanted by the municipality of Castro, which has acquired the property. Its rooms host a library, a conference room, the “prof. Antonio Lazzari” with the permanent archaeological exhibition" Castrum Minervae: between Greeks and Messapian "and from its terraces you can enjoy a breathtaking view!

Architecture of the Castle

The castle has a rectangular plan with four corner towers of various shapes and sizes. Today it consists of an entrance protected by a moat and a drawbridge, now removed.

Entering there is a courtyard formerly used for the storage of agricultural products that were marketed, and a large staircase, now disappeared, which led to the upper floors. The doors of the rooms on the ground floor also overlook the courtyard. The west room overlooks the sea and has an external access leading to the gardens below.