Feudal Castle

A medieval village where every stone tells a piece of history and the echoes of the past can be heard in the details, passing through ancient palaces, churches and houses with their characteristic clay colour, narrow streets and squares, and up to the top, where the imposing Feudal Castle, symbol of Placanica, stands out.

This delightful village in the Locride area stands on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea, between the Precariti river and the Castore stream. The castle was built in 1283 on the site of an ancient Basilian monastery, the remains of which have been uncovered by archaeological excavations, and dominates the valley from above. It certainly played a defensive role and controlled the coast against incursions by Saracen pirates. The monastery was then enlarged by the feudal lords who alternated control of the territory and transformed it into a castle: large external walls, the tanks of the area used as an oil mill, the terrace, new rooms, warehouses and cellars appeared.

After the earthquake of 1783 damaged the manor, further structural changes were made, definitively transforming it into a stately palace with forty rooms spread over four floors. The end of feudalism led to the gradual abandonment of the building and its subsequent looting. However, recent restoration work has restored part of the Feudal Castle of Placanica to its former glory.