Castello Dentice di Frasso di San Vito dei Normanni

Castello Dentice di Frasso di San Vito dei Normanni is a medieval castle featuring a square Norman tower with battlements and narrow defensive openings. Rectangular buildings surround a central courtyard, creating a fortified family residence at the heart of the town.

The Norman tower was first built in the 11th century by Bohemund of Hauteville as a strategic stronghold controlling trade routes. Over time, the structure expanded into a noble family residence, with the Dentice di Frasso family taking ownership and maintaining it to this day.

Inside, decorated halls and collections reveal centuries of life among the local nobility who shaped the town's identity. The rooms reflect how the family that lived here influenced the surrounding community through their presence and choices.

You can find the castle on Via Francesco Crispi in the town center of San Vito dei Normanni, easily accessible on foot from the main streets. Since it remains a private residence, visiting the interior requires advance notice or participation in organized tours offered occasionally by local authorities.

The original entrance featured a drawbridge that connected directly to the castle chapel, a practical security design from medieval times. Today, the main gateway displays a pointed arch crowned with the Dentice family crest, showing how the building has evolved while maintaining its noble lineage.