Castello di Francavilla Fontana, Medieval castle in Francavilla Fontana, Italy.
Castello di Francavilla Fontana is a medieval fortress with a rectangular layout and four angular towers at its corners. A baroque loggia featuring four arches, decorative carved stonework, and a protective moat encircling the structure define its appearance.
Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo constructed the initial fortification in 1450, beginning with a square tower surrounded by defensive walls and a moat. This early structure formed the core of what would later develop into the fortress we see today.
Inside, you can see portraits of the Imperiali princes displayed on the walls and a ceremonial hall with a decorated fireplace bearing the family crest. These spaces show how the family demonstrated their importance and power through their residence.
The structure sits on Via Municipio and offers wheelchair accessibility for visitors. It now functions as the municipal headquarters, so visiting hours may vary depending on administrative needs.
In the early 1700s, the fortress housed a significant European library founded by Cardinal Renato Imperiali. A scholar called Monsignor Giusto Fontanini carefully cataloged this collection in 1711.
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