San Niceto Castle, Motta San Giovanni, Italy

The Castle of Sant'Aniceto (also San Niceto) is a Norman castle built in the early 11th century on a hill in Motta San Giovanni. It is one of the few examples of High Middle Ages architecture in Calabria, as well as one of the few well-preserved Byzantine fortifications in the world. The name derives from that of St. Nicetas, a Byzantine admiral who lived in the 7th-8th centuries.

In the 13th century the castle became the command center of the flourishing fief of Sant'Aniceto (which included Motta San Giovanni and Montebello). Two centuries later, entered in conflict with Reggio Calabria, and in 1459 it was destroyed by Alfonso of Calabria.

The castles has an irregular plan, which reminds that of a ship with the bow directed towards the mountains and the aft to the sea.

Nest to the entrance are two square towers. At the feet of the short steep path leading to the plain below is a small church, which has a frescoed dome portraying the Christ Pantokrator, a typical subject of Byzantine Art.

The height of the well-preserved walls varies from 3 to 3.5 meters, and they are some one meters thick.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Tarek Saazeb (4 months ago)
DO NOT BELIEVE ALL THE 5 STAR REVIEWS! It's definitely not worth going there especially if you're not a good driver. The road is shit. My tire got stuck in the mud twice in and out. Recommended only if you're on a tour bus or the weather is amazing. It's not worth the risk.

Oleksandra Abramova (7 months ago)
Breathtakingly beautiful and free of charge for visitors castle. You can enjoy the ruins and the view from it. The only problem — it’s not the easiest road there and it the very end google suggests the wrong turn, so be careful. Don’t expect to find any shops or food there, the place is abandoned.

Adi (10 months ago)
Very nice

C3 (2 years ago)
The location of this castle is amazing, there were no tourists begin september we were alone. Entrance is free.

Alessandro Marani (2 years ago)
Nearly impossible to get there, recently restaured with taxpayers money, now newly abandoned… The castle and the views are nearly worth the expedition

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