Tropea Castle, Medieval castle in Italy
Tropea Castle was a trapezoidal fortress with four corner towers standing on a cliff about 15 meters (50 feet) high at the city's edge. Adjacent to the walls were gardens and an ancient church, while a notably tall tower called Torre Lunga dominated the defensive complex.
The first fortifications of Tropea were built around 535 AD by Byzantine general Belisario during the Greek-Gothic wars. After the earthquake of 1783, new gates were constructed, and between 1825 and 1876 the old castle was partially demolished.
The name Tropea may derive from a Greek word meaning turning, reflecting the city's strategic location. Today the streets and buildings around the former castle site recall this defensive role and the religious importance the place held for the community.
Traces of the old walls are found along the road to Marina, near Palazzo Toraldo-Serra and the cathedral. Archaeological finds from the excavations can be viewed at the Diocesan Museum.
During demolition work between 1825 and 1876, early Christian tomb inscriptions were uncovered, including the first documented mention of Tropea's name by Hirene Conductrix. Tropea now holds the largest collection of such early Christian inscriptions in Calabria.
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