Castello di Otranto, Coastal fortress in Otranto, Italy.
Castello di Otranto is a coastal fortress at Italy's easternmost point, featuring five sides, a protective moat, and multiple towers that overlook the Adriatic Sea. The thick stone walls and defensive towers form a solid barrier designed to repel attacks from the water.
Emperor Frederick II reinforced the original structure before Alphonso II of Naples completely rebuilt it following the Ottoman invasion of 1480. This reconstruction transformed the fortress into one of the strongest defensive structures along southern Italy's coast.
The castle displays rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and historical objects that connect visitors with local traditions and the everyday life of the Salento region. These collections reveal how the community has adapted and thrived across different eras.
The fortress is open year-round with exhibition spaces and viewpoints that offer views of the coastline and surrounding area. Guided tours in multiple languages help visitors understand the structure and its defensive features.
The fortress inspired Horace Walpole to write The Castle of Otranto in 1764, even though he never actually visited this specific building when creating his novel. The book is often credited as one of the first works in Gothic literature, shaping fiction for generations to come.
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