Cantelmo - Caldora Castle

The Caldora Castle or Cantelmo Castle is an ancient Abruzzo fortification, located in the historic center of Pacentro, in the province of L'Aquila.

The castle of Pacentro, at an altitude of 718 meters on Mount Morrone, is one of the best preserved fortified structures in Abruzzo.

The construction dates back to the period between the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century, given that the first restructuring was carried out in this period (some trace the construction back to between the 11th and 13th centuries, a period in which it should be built the severed north-east tower).

A reinforcement including some enhancements took place in the second half of the 15th century when the Orsini added some circular towers. The construction of the trapezoidal-based walls is also to be ascribed to this period.

In the sixties of the last century, the castle was restored again, but the massive use of reinforced concrete caused controversial aftermath; subsequently, further restorations restored the original appearance of the Peligna fortress.

It is built on a trapezoidal base. In the corners there are towers, with a square base, of which only three are visible today, typical of the Abruzzo landscape of the Peligna Valley. There are also three circular bastions.

For its majesty it is famous among the castles of Abruzzo with the Piccolomini castle of Celano, the castle of L'Aquila, the castle of Balsorano, Rocca Calascio, the castle of Roccascalegna and the Aragonese castle of Ortona. The castle overlooks the square with the seventeenth-century facade and in front of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The structure has a double wall; the internal one is older, and the external one is from the Cantelmo era. There are several coats of arms at the entrance and on the towers. The most readable is that of the Orsini. The decorative apparatus reveals a Renaissance matrix, close to the cornice of the bell tower of Santa Maria Maggiore, except for the ogival portals.

The medieval towers are:

• Torre del Re, to the north west, behind the drawbridge, 25 m high. It has five sides and takes its name from the feudal lord who looked over it in a ceremonial rite, after having taken possession of the castle;
• Ghost tower, to the north east, named for the legend of Baron Roberto di Licinardo, who had the face of his wife Margherita di Braj sculpted there, after she threw herself from the tower, desperate at the false news of her husband's death. Alternatively, the sculpture could portray Rita Cantelmo, mother of the condottiere Jacopo Caldora. The tower is from the 14th century, 27 m high;
• Siege tower, to the south east, is the oldest, 12 m high, with the top cut off because it was damaged in 1230 by the attack of Frederick II of Swabia.

Map: Cantelmo - Caldora Castle