Castello normanno-aragonese di San Nicandro Garganico, Castle in San Nicandro Garganico, Italy

The Castello Normanno-Aragonese di San Nicandro Garganico stands on a 224 m rise in the town centre. Its trapezoidal plan has two rectangular towers on the north side, one from the first building phase, and two round Aragonese towers on the south side facing the Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria del Borgo. A 16th-century loggia joined the east entrance to a large palace.

The first structure on the 224 m hill was a watchtower, with a Norman garrison already stationed nearby; a Staufen-era use as Frederick II's hunting lodge is debated. In the 15th century, probably under the Della Marra, the castle was built around the tower to its present perimeter, and the surrounding settlement was enclosed. In February 2020 the castle became property of the Comune of San Nicandro Garganico.

The castle's name comes from the two main building phases: the Norman watchtower and the Aragonese walls. The 16th-century loggia at the east entrance linked the castle to a large palace, and Palazzo Fioritto, built against the west wall, now houses the A. Petrucci municipal library and the Museum of Peasant Civilisation.

The site is accessible to visitors and available for cultural events since the municipality of San Nicandro Garganico took ownership. The best time to visit is outside the hottest summer months, when the weather is milder and visitor numbers are lower.

The structure was closely linked to imperial hunting and served Frederick II multiple times as a retreat during his stays in the region. This connection to royal history sets it apart from many other fortresses in the area that served primarily military functions.