The Castello di Acaya is a majestic fortress located in the homonymous village in the province of Lecce, in the heart of Salento, in Puglia. Built in the 16th century by the noble family of the Acaya, the castle is a fine example of Renaissance military architecture, with advanced defensive features for the time. The square-shaped structure with strong corner ramparts and a deep moat, testifies to the strategic importance of the site, intended to protect the territory from Ottoman attacks. In addition to the defensive function, the castle is a centre of power and culture, with decorated rooms and a library of great value. Today, Castello di Acaya is a place of great tourist and cultural interest, hosting exhibitions, events and guided tours that allow you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Salento.
The history
The Castello di Acaya, located in Salento, 8 km south-east of Lecce, has a rich and fascinating history. Originally, the site housed the small medieval settlement of Segine, owned by the family of Acaya, which gave the name to the village in 1535. In 1294, Charles II of Anjou gave Segine to Gervaso dell’Acaya, a valiant captain, and the family kept possession for three centuries. Alfonso of Acaya built the oldest nucleus of the castle in 1506, and his son Giangiacomo further fortified it in 1535 with walls, bulwarks, ramparts and a moat, as well as giving the village an urban plan. After the death of Giangiacomo in 1570, the feud passed to the Royal Treasury and then, in 1608, to Alessandro De Montibus, who further fortified it to protect itself from Turkish raids. In the 17th century, the feud returned to the Royal Court and was sold in 1688 to the Vernazza family, who fortunately did not change the Renaissance structure of the castle. In 1714, the citadel was attacked and conquered by Saracen pirates. The castle was then taken over by the Onofrio Scarciglia and Rugge families, before being bought by the Provincial Administration of Lecce.
The structure
The Castello di Acaya, built in the 16th century, is a significant example of modern fortification, conceived by the military architect Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya for Charles V. The structure, designed to withstand attacks with firearms, is a quadrilateral with massive ramparts at all four corners. In particular, the triangular spurs to the north-west and south-east were designed to deflect attacks, while powerful circular towers are located at opposite corners. The ramparts are equipped with gunboats on several levels, and in the south-east summit is a spear-shaped bulwark, innovative for its raking defense.
In addition to its defensive function, the castle played an important role in controlling the territory of Salento for the nascent reign of Charles V, although it was not exclusively intended for defense against Turkish raids. Inside, the Ennagonal room in the north-east tower, decorated with fine friezes, testifies to the residential use of the structure. The whole building is adorned with coats of arms of the Acaya family.
During recent restoration work, traces of a medieval building, a small Byzantine church, and a 14th century fresco depicting the Dormitio Virginis have been discovered. In addition, archaeological excavations have uncovered graves and mass graves, probably dating back to the bloody battles between 1200 and 1300. The castle today hosts permanent exhibitions on the archaeological excavations of Roca Vecchia and numerous cultural events throughout the year.
Prices and timetables of the Castello di Acaya
Castello di Acaya is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00 and the ticket price is about € 5.00. As there is no official website, we recommend you to call to plan your visit.
Where is it and how to get there
The Castello di Acaya is located in the heart of Salento, in Puglia, in the homonymous municipality of Acaya. It is located about 10 kilometers south-east of the city of Lecce and about 7 kilometers away from the Adriatic sea.
The best way to reach the Castello di Acaya is by car:
from Lecce you can take the SS16 in south-east direction towards San Cataldo. After about 8 kilometres, follow the signs for Acaya and turn right onto SP 366. Follow this road for about 2 kilometers until you reach the village.
Alternatively, always from Lecce or neighboring countries, there are bus connections, especially in summer. We suggest you always consult the bus times of Salento, precisely the line 101 that serves the route Lecce – Torre Dell’Orso – Otranto.
