{"id":18492,"date":"2024-02-08T12:03:33","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T12:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/castello-aragonese-di-castro\/"},"modified":"2024-02-08T12:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T12:03:33","slug":"castello-aragonese-di-castro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/castello-aragonese-di-castro\/","title":{"rendered":"Castello Aragonese di Castro"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Perched on top of a promontory overlooking the Adriatic sea, the Castello Aragonese di Castro<\/strong> dominates the landscape of the Salento coast with its imposing figure. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This ancient fortress,<\/strong> which preserves centuries of history, has undergone numerous changes over the centuries, assuming its current appearance during the Aragonese domination.\u00a0 Today, the Aragonese Castle of Castro is an archaeological museum<\/strong> that houses a rich collection of finds that tell the history of the region, from prehistoric to medieval times.\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

If you are in Castro<\/strong> it will be impossible not to notice this splendid manor, you can decide to take a walk around or visit it by immersing yourself completely in its history. <\/p>\n

\"castello<\/p>\n

History<\/h2>\n

The Aragonese castle of Castro<\/strong>, with its ancient origins dating back to the 12th-13th century, played a crucial role in the defense of the kingdom, so much so that Charles I of Anjou defined it as a fortress of strategic importance. This imposing structure, along with other fortresses in the region, has served as a bulwark against external threats, combining natural defences with advanced military architecture.<\/p>\n

However, in 1480, during the sack of Otranto by the Turks, the castle suffered serious damage<\/strong>, being partially destroyed. In the 16th century, the Gattinara family took on the task of rebuilding the fortress on the ruins of the ancient fortress, giving it a new defensive structure characterized by ramparts and a embankment<\/strong>. Subsequent damage pushed the Spanish viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo to further strengthen the castle, commissioning the architect Tiburzio Spannocchi a complete renovation that included the construction of a bastion to protect the Porta Terra and a fortified wall with hexagonal elongated system.<\/p>\n

During the 18th century, however, the building fell into disrepair, so much so that it is described as semi-destroyed. Thanks to the intervention of the bishop of the city, Monsignor Del Duca, who addressed a petition to King Ferdinand IV, the castle was restored at the expense of the State Treasury. In the following years, the municipality of Castro<\/strong> undertook several restoration works<\/strong> to restore the castle to its former glory and make it accessible again to the local community and visitors.<\/p>\n