Norman Castle of Catanzaro

The Norman Castle of Catanzaro was built by Roberto il Guiscardo, head of the Norman militias who fought against the Byzantines, around 1060.

Its original part, consisting of a curtain wall, was in all probability the large central quadrangular tower, called the keep, which dominated the city.

Symbol of feudal power, it was partially destroyed during the fifteenth century under the Aragonese, transformed into a quarry for construction materials, also used as a hospital with the congregation of the Whites of Santa Croce, who made it a hospital and the Teresian Fathers who used it as a convent.

It then became a place of confinement. and prison, losing all political and social functions. In recent years the complex has been recovered and used as a museum as well as a venue for exhibitions and cultural events. However, the Castle itself has a peculiarity: the Secret Galleries have been built on the remains which, thanks to the long restoration work, allow to reveal details of the Norman domination, of prisoners and to take a dip in the past.

The narrow gallery has seen important events involving well-known personalities. Including the one concerning the Spanish adventurer Antonio Centelles, who became viceroy of Calabria and then forced to flee when he disobeyed the orders of the sovereign Alfonso V of Aragon, aiming at the hand of Countess Enrichetta, already destined for a more noble wedding.

It now houses:

• Micro Museum of the History of Catanzaro
• MIRABILIA
• Scale model of the Norman Castle
• Information on the history of the city

Map: Norman Castle of Catanzaro

vCard Info:

Address: Corso Mazzini 1, 88100
Catanzaro (CZ) Calabria
Latitude: 38.9089693
Longitude: 16.5880776
Site: https://mirabiliacatanzaro.it/...

vCard created by: Giuseppe Matarese
Currently owned by: Giuseppe Matarese

Type: Building
Function: Castle
Creation date: 16-04-2022 08:18
Last update: 21/04/2022