Le Castella Castle, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Italy

The Aragonese Castle of Le Castella origins date back to 204 BC., when the military leader Hannibal sought refuge there during his retreat. The fortress never housed local nobility but served as a shelter for soldiers defending against invasions from the sea. It rests on foundations from the Magna Graecia period, and even today, you can observe the various architectural phases layered over time, with Normans, Swabians, Byzantines, Angevins, and Aragonese each adding to the sturdy defensive walls originally built by the Greeks.

The castle’s uniqueness comes from its location: perched on an islet connected to the coast by a narrow strip of land. Originally, Le Castella was not the only castle in the area, and the plural name hints at the presence of multiple fortifications.

Despite the damage caused by weather and fierce storms, the Aragonese Fortress retains an ancient village structure: a majestic cylindrical tower divided into three floors connected by a stone spiral staircase, and the manor around which imposing crenelated defensive walls rise. Almost completely restored, the castle features several rooms, including a video room, a photo room, and the 'Phrurion Room.' Inside, there are also remnants of a small chapel and a larger church.

User Reviews

Paula Rogers (3 months ago)
It was OK. Smallish but with a lot of history. Our guide was new, unsure of her content, and had way too many people in the group. I think we would have been better on our own, as there was plenty of signage

AL M (6 months ago)
Islington parking few blocks away from the Castle and the beach. Water was nice but not much shade outside of the beach rental umbrellas. Was certainly a nice place to see.

Flavia L (7 months ago)
Worth a visit , lovely bars and restaurants nearby. At night the castle glows.

Turi Galbraith (2 years ago)
I visited on a beautiful day, but unfortunately the castle wasn’t open, although you can still appreciate it from outside.

Christopher Pisano (2 years ago)
La costella is an interesting spot. The castle is very rustic and a cool spot to stop. They sell many great typical calabrian items. Worth the stop if you atr near.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright w_lemay

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