Castello Aragonese, Coastal fortress in Le Castella, Italy.
Castello Aragonese is a fortress sitting on a small peninsula within the Marine Protected Area of Capo Rizzuto, linked to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. The structure spans multiple levels connected by a carved spiral staircase and contains towers and defensive chambers from different construction periods.
The fortress foundations date back to 400 BC during Greek colonization, with later modifications by Normans, Byzantines, Angevins, and Aragonese rulers across several centuries. Each ruling power left architectural marks that trace the transformation from antiquity to the modern era.
The fortress displays exhibition spaces and remains of an ancient settlement, while a 16th-century chapel with ceiling frescoes survives within its walls. Visitors can see how different periods coexist in this space, revealing layers of occupation and spiritual practice across generations.
Entry to the fortress is free and it opens daily from 08:30 to 19:30, allowing plenty of time for exploration. Wear sturdy shoes, as the carved spiral staircase is narrow and the passages between levels can be steep and uneven.
The entrance features a drawbridge system positioned above a rainwater collection cistern, demonstrating advanced engineering techniques of medieval military architecture. This system was crucial for both defense and water supply, showing how medieval fortresses cleverly solved practical challenges.
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