Santa Severa Castle, Medieval castle in Santa Marinella, Italy
Santa Severa Castle rises along the Tyrrhenian Sea coast with stone walls, towers, and inner courtyards displaying medieval architecture. The complex contains multiple buildings across a fortified site positioned directly on the shoreline.
The fortress was built on remains of a Roman castrum from the 3rd century BC and underwent major reconstruction in the 14th century. It later belonged to the Order of the Holy Spirit and served as a defensive post and trading center for centuries.
The castle complex holds five museums exploring maritime navigation, archaeological findings, and the Etruscan settlement of Pyrgi. Visitors experience how this coastal location shaped the region's connection between sea trade and settlement.
The castle is open year-round and offers guided tours, event facilities, and a bar. Summer visitors should note special evening visits are available, providing a different perspective of the site.
Excavations revealed a Roman residence from Imperial times and an Early Christian church dating to the 5th century beneath the castle grounds. These discoveries show the site's continuous occupation across different historical periods.
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