Medieval Living History Day at the Aragonese Castle of Le Castella

On Saturday, 1 June 2025, the Aragonese Castle of Le Castella, in Isola Capo Rizzuto (KR), will host the Living History Medieval Day, an event dedicated to the dissemination of history and the enhancement of Calabria's cultural heritage through educational activities, workshops and re-enactments.

The initiative is promoted by the Calabria Regional Directorate of Museums in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Crotone, Sibari, Capo Colonna and Le Castella, and is organised by Itineraria Bruttii Onlus as part of the project “Educational services in the museums and cultural venues belonging to the Calabria Regional Directorate of Museums and the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari”. Collaborating in the organisation are the associations Cavalieri de li Terre Tarantine and Emergenti Visioni.

The day includes a full programme of events for the public, including guided tours, workshop activities (archery, ancient games, experimental archaeology), tinkering demonstrations and storytelling inspired by historical figures linked to the territory, such as Antonio Centelles and Enrichetta Ruffo and Uluc Alì (Uccialì).

A historical market will also be set up inside the castle, with a display of handicrafts and medieval-themed settings.

Programme

Morning

11:00 a.m. - Reception inside the castle

• Setting up of the medieval market with ceramics and ornamental objects
• Experiential workshops and ancient games
• Display and dissemination of medieval weapons and armour
• Archery workshop

11:30 a.m. - Opening storytelling and introduction to the medieval day

11:40 a.m. - Investiture ceremony of a medieval knight

• Scene with nomination and dressing up
• Scenic historical fights

12:00 p.m. - Guided tour of the castle

12:30 p.m. - Demonstration: "The Art of War".

• Arming techniques and use of weapons and armour from the 13th to the 16th century

12:45 pm - Living History: Antonio Centelles and Enrichetta Ruffo

• Meeting with the characters and narration of their story

13:00 - Lunch break

Afternoon

3:00 p.m. - Living History teaching workshop and experimental archaeology

• Organised by Itineraria Bruttii Onlus

3:30 p.m. - Exhibition and dissemination of medieval weapons and armour

Organised by the Knights of the Tarantine Lands

4 p.m. - Living History dedicated to Uluc Ali (Uccialì)

• Biographical narration
• Re-enactment of the fighting between Turks and Spaniards
• Storytelling of battles in the Mediterranean
• Symbolic meeting between Uccialì and his mother in a hypothetical return to Le Castella

4:40 p.m. - "The Treasure Hunt of the Aragonese".

• Team game with themed prizes

For more information and reservations please contact Itineraria Bruttii Onlus.