On the trail of medieval castles in Calabria

Although most of the castles in Calabria have ancient origins, having been built on the sites of former Byzantine castra or pirate lookout points, their monumental appearance, which continues to captivate visitors to this day, is the result of work carried out by the Norman kings, followed by their Aragonese, Swabian and Angevin successors and, finally, by the great families of local feudal lords. That's why some of the most beautiful Calabrian fortresses to visit are the Norman castles. A crucial stage in this history was the raids by Arab and Saracen pirates (9th-16th centuries) on the Calabrian coast, which forced the coastal population to retreat to the hills, where the main medieval villages and castles of Calabria now stand. Another decisive moment in the history of castles in Calabria was the Frederick era, when Emperor Frederick II of Swabia began construction of a series of monumental castles in Calabria and elsewhere in southern Italy (known as "Federician castles"), Their purpose is still debated, ranging from functional use (summer residences and hunting lodges) to mystical purposes (temples guarding the Holy Grail, places of initiation).

In the 16th century, King Charles V sought to strengthen the defensive function of Calabria's castles by installing a sophisticated system of coastal watchtowers ("cavallare", i.e. equipped with a knight, or designed for lighting night-time fires and daytime smoke signals) which could spread the alarm as far as Naples within 24 hours. A journey along the castle route in Calabria is an evocative experience that takes you from the fortresses of the inland areas (Sant'Aniceto Castle, the Norman-Swabian Castle of Cosenza, the Norman-Swabian Castle of Vibo Valentia, etc.) surrounded by mighty walls and drawbridges guarding elevated land, to formidable sea fortresses (Federician Castle in Roseto Capo Spulico, Aragonese Castle in Belvedere Marittimo, Ruffo Castle in Scilla, etc.) – bastions defending the coastline.

Rich in history, legends and mysteries, Calabria's medieval castles have stood the test of time and now offer their spaces as venues for museums, exhibitions, re-enactments and a whole series of events that combine art, history and tourist itineraries throughout the year, for those who want to discover the lesser-known side of Calabria beyond the seaside resorts and mass tourism destinations.

1. Ducal Castle of Corigliano (Province of Cosenza)

Among the must-see Calabrian castles in the province of Cosenza is the Ducal Castle of Corigliano Calabro. Built at the behest of Robert Guiscard in 1073, it is famous for its spiral staircase surrounded by frescoes that leads to a breathtaking viewpoint. The original nucleus, now extensively remodelled and renovated, includes the Church of San Pietro and the towers, namely the circular keep and the octagonal turret serving as a belvederet.

2. Castle of Santa Severina (Province of CrotoneR)

The Castle of Santa Severina, in the village of the same name in the province of Crotone (one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages), houses the Archaeological Museum of Santa Severina, where you can admire the artefacts unearthed during excavations, and the Medieval Festival, a historical re-enactment held in May and June. Open to visitors all year round, it features a square keep and four cylindrical towers on the sides, flanked by four other protruding bastions in the same position. A tomb from the original acropolis of Siberene was preserved beneath the Byzantine necropolis, containing a coin from the 3rd century BC on the skeleton's jawbone.

3. Le Castella (Province of Crotone)

The only Aragonese castle in Calabria built on the water's edge, and one of the region's iconic sights, is the Le Castella complex, in the Isola Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area in the province of Crotone. It is steeped in history, with tales of cannon-fired assaults and legendary stories, such as that of the child kidnapped by the Turks who went on to become the great pirate Occhialì, "Terror of the Seas". The Aragonese castle has an irregular layout, incorporating a cylindrical watchtower of clear Angevin origin (14th century), featuring a magnificent stone spiral staircase. Between 1510 and 1526, Count Andrea Carafa had the mighty quadrangular bastions built.

4. Murat Castle (Province of Vibo Valentia)

Built in the second half of the 15th century by Ferdinand I of Aragon, the Aragonese Castle of Pizzo consists consists of a quadrangular structure with two cylindrical corner towers, the larger of which, known as Torre Maestra, dates back to the Angevin period (1380). The Aragonese Castle of Pizzo (15th century), in the province of Vibo Valentia, is known as "Castello Murat" because it was here that the King of Naples, Joachim Murat, was imprisoned and shot (13 October 1815); his remains are still housed in the Church of San Giorgio. Home to the Murattiano Museum, every four years the castle hosts a historical re-enactment of the event.

5. Aragonese Castle of Reggio Calabria

A testament to an important period in medieval Reggio, the Aragonese Castle of Reggio Calabria, (9th-11th century) occupies the highest point of the historic centre and hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events. Having survived numerous earthquakes, it offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the Strait of Messina. In 1450, during the Spanish era, two large crenellated towers, a ravelin and a moat were added. In 1539, Pietro da Toledo increased its internal capacity, and the layout remained almost unchanged until the Risorgimento, when the decision was made to convert it into a barracks and political prison.