Longobard-Norman Castle

The Lombard-Norman Castle of Malvito, in the province of Cosenza, is a medieval fortress built by the Lombards between the 7th and 8th centuries on the site of a previous Byzantine castrum. The Castle of Malvito stands on an inaccessible hill, from the top of which it is possible to see the entire Esaro Valley. By their very nature, the Lombards favoured the construction of many Calabrian castles in inland areas, choosing inaccessible locations perched on rocks, which they further fortified with a conspicuous presence of soldiers. Malvito Castle became the epicentre for fugitives from the plains who took refuge here and founded the village.

Over the centuries, the Lombard-Norman Castle of Malvito has undergone several interventions, especially under Robert of Altavilla (known as Guiscard): the original structure still has its walls, which are 120 cm thick; three towers (two of which are cylindrical); two cisterns for collecting water and a warehouse with an adjoining ice house. The central keep, 17 m high, is accessible by a narrow spiral staircase that connects to the upper floors and the roof terrace.

The Lombard-Norman Castle of Malvito is open to visitors every day except holidays and Sundays. Inside, you can see the archaeological remains of the ancient Chapel of St. Nicholas, which in the 17th century housed a painting by Luca Giordano, of which no trace remains today. The highlight of Malvito Castle? Its ice house: the cave used to store snow collected from the mountains for cooling food and drinks.