San Nicandro castle as we see it today dates from the 15th century although it was built on the site of a much more older fortress dating from the Norman and Swabian periods.
The castle is trapeze shaped with four corner towers, and was renovated during the 17th century. On the north side there are two square towers, one of which is one of the original towers, while on the south side there are two round towers built by the Aragonese which are behind the church.
The castle, which was actually built as a mansion, was the usual residence of the Della Marra and all the vassals of San Nicandro Garganico until the time of the Cattaneo Princes. In the 16th century the castle was integrated with the gateway to the east and the lodge was built that connected the castle with a large palace built between the door and the walls of the castle.
The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.