Feudal Castle

The Feudal Castle of Ardore stands in a panoramic position on the hill overlooking the historic centre of Ardore, in the province of Reggio Calabria. Its construction dates back to the first half of the 17th century, commissioned by Orazio Gambacorta, the first Duke of Ardore, to house his court and administration. Used as a place of defence, the Feudal Castle of Ardore has a square plan and was once equipped with four cylindrical towers. Today, only the one on the south side is visible, overlooking the sea and Capo Zeffirio (the ancient port of Locri Epizefiri).

However, the Feudal Castle of Ardore remained unfinished: the basement housed cisterns for collecting water, workshops, stables and various rooms; the main floor, built around the central courtyard, included the duke's residence, the prison and some storage rooms. The rooms were connected by corridors and staircases, while a labyrinth of secret passages linked the strategic points. The interior was richly furnished and decorated with frescoes.