Castello di Castro, Medieval castle in Castro, Italy

Castello di Castro is a rectangular fortress with four corner towers of varying shapes and a central courtyard designed for multiple functions including storage and defense. The layout reflects how space was organized to serve both military and practical needs over its centuries of use.

The oldest part of the Aragonese castle dates most likely to the 12th–13th century and was built on the remains of a small Byzantine fortress. In the second half of the 13th century Charles I of Anjou called it a fortress of strategic importance for defending the kingdom. In 1480, after the sack of Otranto, the Turks invaded the town and partly destroyed the castle; the Gattinara family rebuilt it in the 16th century with four bastions, and Tiburzio Spannocchi later redesigned the defences.

The castle houses a museum displaying archaeological finds from the surrounding area, revealing the long settlement history of this coastal region. The exhibits offer insight into daily life across different periods at this location.

The fortress sits on a hilltop above the town and is reached on foot via paths leading from the old town center. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for steps and uneven surfaces, especially when exploring the towers and internal staircases.

The western hall opens onto gardens below the castle walls and offers views of the Adriatic Sea from this vantage point. This connection between fortress and gardens reveals that the place served as a residence with some comforts, not just a military stronghold.