Swabian Castle of Rocca Imperiale

The Swabian Castle of Rocca Imperiale is located in the municipality of the same name in Ionian Calabria. Rocca Imperiale (Cosenza), among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, is renowned for its Blue Flag beach and for the delicious Lemons of Rocca Imperiale PGI, one of the excellences of Calabrian agri-food.

The fortress, towering at the top of the historical centre, is identified in the monumental geometry of the Swabian Castle of Rocca Imperiale, built by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, among the Frederician castles in Calabria. Built between 1220 and 1225 in a strategic location to control the ancient Via Appia Traiana, in addition to being a defensive fortress, the Castle of Rocca Imperiale was also a safe haven for the emperor's court during his travels and frequent hunting expeditions. Over the centuries, the castle came under the control of various European families, including the Angevins, the Swabians and the Aragonese.

A curiosity? In the 17th century, the Swabian Castle of Rocca Imperiale was the scene of a memorable assault by the Saracen pirates of Sultan Ibrahim: a siege of 60 sails on the night of 1 July 1664, more than 4000 corsairs under the command of Admiral Bichir put the fortress to fire and sword and burnt the 14th-century church in the village, sowing terror among the inhabitants and capturing 80 people.

Beginning in 1717, under the leadership of the Crivelli dukes, the Swabian Castle of Rocca Imperiale was transformed into a small palace: raised accommodation, renovation of the loggia, etc. After a long period of neglect, it was the Cappa family who restored the structure and made it their residence in 1903; finally, in 1989, the castle was donated to the Municipality of Rocca Imperiale, which enhanced its value and made it open to visitors. Inside, an imposing Baroque staircase, the medieval kitchen, the luxurious halls of the Crivelli dukes, the Piazza d'Armi and the stables.

Visiting hours:

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-12pm; 4pm-6pm.