Ruffo Castle in Amendolea

There is a medieval castle on the cliff overlooking the Amendolea river valley and facing the Ionian Sea. It is Ruffo Castle which, despite being irreparably damaged today, still bears the marks of an ancient history, that of the Greek area of the province of Reggio Calabria, which played a strategic role in the defence of the territory.

It is located in Condofuri, about 400 metres above sea level, a hamlet founded in the 4th century AD during the Byzantine colonisation. From here, you can admire a breathtaking view across the valley and the river, scented with bergamot (citrus groves are characteristic of this area), and embracing the Ionian Sea.

The castle, whose walls were made of a mixture of sulphur and iron, was built in the 14th century for defensive purposes. It was repeatedly devastated by the Saracens and destroyed by an earthquake, but over the centuries it was rebuilt several times. Around this fascinating fort, we can imagine the power struggles between the local noble families, which is why the building passed from one owner to another.

In 1099, it became the fiefdom of Riccardo di Amigdalia, in 1495 of the Abenavoli family and finally of the Ruffo family, from whom it takes its name. The Ruffo family purchased the fiefdom in 1624 and retained possession of it until 1806, when the feudal era came to an end. Today, few remains of the imposing fort survive, including the walls that delimit the parallelepiped-shaped entrance. A rectangular hall with high walls and arched windows remains standing, with walls interspersed with small towers with loopholes and battlements.

An isolated tower served as a keep, but the chapel tower, built in the Norman era, is undoubtedly the most distinctive feature of this castle. The small apse-shaped church is located on the second floor of the tower, with an entrance facing south in accordance with Byzantine tradition and side benches made of masonry. It was in this chapel that the inhabitants of the castle - who numbered about three hundred - went to pray. The castle was remodelled in subsequent periods, until the earthquake of 1783, which unfortunately damaged it irreversibly.