Spadafora Castle, Spadafora, Italy

The castle of Spadafora was built at the end of the sixteenth century around a defensive tower by the Spadafora family to control the coasts. The tower was probably enlarged or rebuilt in the early 1500s. Four imposing trapezoidal-shaped corner spurs are surrounded by battlements, in whose interspaces the artillery were placed. In the angular ends of each spur stand the casemates, to protect the soldiers on guard.

Between 1654 and 1670 were carried out renovations that most likely changed the architectural features of the castle with insertion of rooms, doors and windows, iron grates and balconies, and the rebuilding of the ramparts. From the 18th century it was transformed into a noble residence.

Between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the last century it was used as a private residence by the Samonà family, descendants of Princess Alessandra Spadafora Colonna.

After the loss of the Castle by the Samonà family, the building was abandoned and was for years the victim of the negligence of the successive administrations. It is currently owned by the Region. It returned to new life after the restoration of the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of Messina, and hosts numerous cultural events.

References:

gnuni.com

Castles and fortifications in Italy

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Giovanna Bertacchini (3 years ago)
Small and cute

Francesco Lisa (4 years ago)
Very beautifull

Gianni P. (5 years ago)
I only saw it from outside, turning around it ... for me it has a very fascinating structure, which always struck me when I saw it passing on the highway 113.

Riccardo Rock (6 years ago)
Beautiful from a historical and cultural point of view. When we went it was totally empty. In all respects. The visit lasted 10 minutes.

Spadafora Castle

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Church of St Donatus