Castello Ruffo di Amendolea, Medieval fortress in Amendolea, Italy
Castello Ruffo di Amendolea is a hilltop fortress situated on a rocky plateau about 400 meters high, featuring rectangular halls, arched windows, and several defensive towers. The castle ruins stand near an abandoned village that once occupied the valley below.
The fortress was built in the 13th century during the Angevin period and changed hands several times throughout its existence. It suffered severe damage from a powerful earthquake in 1783, after which it gradually fell into abandonment.
The chapel within the fortress displays Byzantine features that were common across southern Italy, with a small church oriented according to regional traditions. The structure reflects the religious and architectural practices that shaped medieval communities in this area.
The ruins can be reached via Strada Comunale Amendolea and allow visitors to explore both the fortress and the abandoned village below. The site requires sturdy footwear and caution, as some structures are unstable and dangerous.
The fortress maintained the longest active defensive status against Turkish invasions among all Calabrian castles, spanning many decades. This extended military importance made it a strategic keystone in the struggle to control the Amendolea valley between Locri and Reggio.
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