Castle of Sessa Aurunca, Medieval castle in Sessa Aurunca, Italy

The Castle of Sessa Aurunca sits at the town's highest point and features limestone walls built in Romanesque style with distinctive stone arches and details. The structure displays the solid construction methods typical of medieval fortifications in southern Italy.

The fortress was built in the 10th century and later expanded under Frederick II's rule. Subsequent noble families made changes and modifications over the following centuries.

The name "ducale" recalls the Marzano dukes, owners until 1466, and the Carafa of Stigliano, lords from 1522 to 1664. Inside, a fresco records the repairs led by don Andrea Guerriero D. Torres after the 1688 earthquake. Since 2014 the rooms house the Biblioteca Comunale "Caio Lucilio", named after the Latin poet born at Sessa Aurunca.

The fortress is located on Piazza 20 Settembre in the town center and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the walk to reach it involves a steady uphill climb.

The archaeological museum inside the castle displays finds recovered from the seabed of the submerged Roman colony of Sinuessa, gathered during ENEA surveys of the rocky shore. Among the pieces is a statue of Vivia Matidia, known as Matidia Minor, linked to the Roman theatre of Sessa Aurunca.