Norman Castle

Maida is a delightful village located in the heart of Calabria, halfway between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, between the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia to the west and the Gulf of Squillace to the east. From the highest points, both seas can be admired at the same time.

Its complex history has left precious marks in the old part of the village and is particularly evident in the various alterations to the medieval Castle, which dominates the landscape with its imposing profile, overlooking the Lamato River Valley.

The Castle was built in the 11th century, during the Norman period. Like many other fortifications, it was built on a hill to control and defend the territory from incursions. Unfortunately, the structure is now partly in ruins and partly transformed by the various alterations that have taken place over the centuries, but the atmosphere in the village is magical and it is worth climbing up to the Norman Castle to admire its remains and enjoy the splendid view.

The thick walls bear witness to the history of this Castle, which has been at the centre of various events for centuries. It was inhabited by powerful feudal families, then contested by the Angevins and also by the Aragonese, who ordered its renovation. The history of the Castle is also linked to Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, who during his travels chose it as his hunting reserve and ordered structural changes for this purpose.

The sumptuous manor has a square plan reinforced at the corners by four towers, only one of which is visible today. Around the fortification, the remains of granaries and cells have been found, as well as a staircase made of slate, a grey rock with blue reflections from the surroundings of Maida.

The history of the Norman Castle is inextricably linked to that of Maida and the determination of its people, who stormed the fort and partially destroyed it in rebellion against the abuses of the feudal lord Egidio di Santoliceto. It was remodelled under Angevin rule, but it was the Aragonese who renovated it. Originally, the Castle had an aqueduct, which has now been almost completely destroyed. Only the splendid arch of Sant'Antonio remains to bear witness to how complex and solid the structure must have been. The Castle has the typical features of Norman architecture but, after the earthquake of 1638, it was renovated and reinforced to withstand cannon fire: lower, thicker and sloping walls appeared and buttresses were added. In the first half of the 19th century, the Castle was converted into a prison, which led to further renovation, with the addition of grilles to the windows and an iron gate at the entrance.

Despite the alterations and reconstructions, the remains of the Norman Castle of Maida still feature details that allow us to imagine a majestic, elegant structure of high artistic value, embellished by white limestone that stands out against the dark stone masonry.