Norman Castle

The Castle of Squillace dominates the town from the highest point of the hill and is one of the most important castles in Calabria. Built by the Normans in the second half of the 11th century, and therefore known as the Norman Castle of Squillace, the building is a symbol of the administrative, political and religious power of the time. The history of Squillace tells us that under Frederick II, who was probably responsible for the construction of the polygonal tower on the east side, the castrum was held by a castellan with no other possessions; while, from 1256 onwards, Squillace Castle became a fiefdom in all respects, passing under the authority of various families. The last of these, the Borgia family of Castilian origin, marked a decisive turning point in local history, ruling Squillace Castle until 1729.

From an architectural point of view, the Norman Castle of Squillace is built of local stone (granite) and organised around a large rectangular tower over 10 m wide, with the ground floor used as a warehouse, the first floor for receiving guests and a private room on the second floor, complete with bathrooms. The surrounding wall dates back to the 12th century, while the reinforcements and escape routes (such as the open-air corridor that runs parallel to the wall and leads into a tunnel) date back to the Frederick period.

In 2008, an archaeological excavation campaign in Squillace Castle uncovered a late antique necropolis (second half of the 11th century) consisting of 22 tombs of adults and adolescents with rich grave goods (gold earrings, ivory combs, ceramic jugs, etc.) suggesting that the individuals were of high social standing. In addition, the remains of a funeral banquet were found, which can be traced back to the pagan rites of the Greco-Roman tradition.