Aragonese Castle

Massive and imposing, the Aragonese Castle of Castrovillari is a typical medieval fortress located in the historic centre, overlooking the Fiumicello and Coscile valleys, near some of the most evocative areas of the Pollino National Park.

This manor dominates the city from above and is a typical example of medieval military architecture. It was almost certainly built on the remains of an older Swabian fortress. It was Ferdinand I of Aragon, King of Naples, who ordered the renovation of the castle of Castrovillari in 1490, as he did for other fortresses he considered strategic for controlling his vast possessions. Contributing to the charm of this castle is the fact that from 1495 to 1995, it was used as a prison. The renovation followed the architectural criteria of military engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini, with underground passages, dark corridors, rooms with barrel vaults and secret passages.

Today, the Aragonese Castle is open to the public, hosts exhibitions and cultural events and, despite various alterations, is one of the best-preserved manors in the region. Its imposing appearance is striking, with a trapezoidal shape on the outside and a rectangular shape on the inside, with four cylindrical corner towers facing the cardinal points. The towers are all different from each other and are joined by a curtain wall. The largest tower, known as the keep, is certainly the most fascinating and stands out from the others for its perfect cylindrical shape and the lightness given by the crown of corbels and arches, typical of the Aragonese style. The north-east tower is currently covered by a terrace.

An interesting fact: this terrace is “camouflaged” on the outside by a high parapet that was designed to allow prisoners to enjoy walks in the open air while preventing them from having contact with the outside world. On the entrance portal, which opens onto an airy courtyard, you can admire a sculpture depicting the Aragonese coat of arms supported by two cherubs in 15th-century Florentine style, on which is engraved the phrase "Ad continendos in fides cives" from the 15th century, which distinguishes all the Calabrian castles built or reinforced by Ferdinand of Aragon. This Latin expression is placed on the fortifications and indicates that these structures were used to control the territory and ensure the loyalty of the citizens.