Castello di Acri, Medieval fortress in Acri, Italy
Castello di Acri is a medieval fortress in the Calabrian town of Acri, of which the most significant surviving element is a standing tower. The structure sits on elevated ground surrounded by thick defensive walls that reach up to four meters in thickness at their base.
Archaeological finds show the site was occupied from the Stone Age through the Bronze Age, long before the medieval fortress was built. Later occupants including ancient peoples modified and reused the location, layering their own additions onto earlier structures.
The fortress displays layers of different occupiers through its stonework and foundations, with earlier sections showing older construction methods and later additions reflecting medieval building techniques. Walking through the site, you can read this timeline in how the walls are built.
The ruins sit on an elevated position with open access to explore the grounds. The site offers broad views across the surrounding landscape, making visits on clear days more rewarding for seeing the distant territories from the hilltop.
North of the existing tower, archaeologists uncovered a large underground cistern that once stored water during times of siege. This hidden structure reveals how carefully the fortress was designed to withstand long periods of defense.
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