Castello di Acaya, Renaissance castle in Vernole, Italy.
Castello di Acaya is a fortress with a quadrilateral footprint and distinctive bastion projections that resemble sharp spears. The complex includes defensive walls, a surrounding moat system, and angled fortification elements designed to withstand cannon fire and military assault.
The fortress was constructed in the early 1500s over a period of about three decades, replacing older defensive fortifications that had stood in the area. It was built to protect the coastal settlement from seaborne attacks and invasion.
The castle takes its name from the military architect who designed it, connecting the structure to the genius behind its creation. Visitors walking through the fortress can see how Renaissance military thinking shaped every detail, from the wall angles to the tower positions.
Plan your visit during daylight hours to see both the outer fortifications and interior spaces clearly. The site is walkable on foot and offers good vantage points from different angles around the complex.
Excavations beneath the fortress uncovered a Byzantine church with a fresco from the 14th century depicting a sacred scene. This discovery reveals that the location had religious significance long before the castle was constructed.
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