Bastion of Malta
Castle
Regione Calabria
The Bastion of Malta in Lamezia Terme, in the province of Catanzaro, is strategically located on the beautiful Riviera dei Tramonti. What sets the Bastion of Malta apart from most of Calabria's coastal towers? Firstly, the thickness of its walls, which have made it impregnable to attacks involving firearms over the centuries. Secondly, its connection to the Order of the Knights of Malta, as suggested by its name, through the many historical events that have taken place there.
Built in 1550 on the initiative of the Viceroy of Naples, Pedro di Toledo, the Bastion of Malta was intended to defend the Calabrian coast from Saracen pirate raids. It was then assigned to the Knights of Malta, who owned a fiefdom in the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia.
The Bastion of Malta still retains its original structure: a compact building with a truncated pyramid base and a square tower. The interior is divided into four large rooms with barrel vaults. Its exceptional state of preservation is due to the solidity of the masonry and the maintenance work carried out by its various owners. An interesting fact? The coat of arms above the east entrance features the shield of the Bailiff, Fra' Signorino Gattinara, and an inscription attributing to him the merit of equipping the Bastion of Malta with 'war machines' in 1634.
