Fortezza di Le Castella

About the museum

The Fortress of Le Castella stands on an islet at the eastern end of the Gulf of Squillace, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, within the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area. Archaeological research has identified the first traces of occupation in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC and the remains of a fortified Greek military outpost, largely incorporated into the medieval buildings.

The castle was built in the first half of the 13th century and modified several times at the end of the century, during the War of the Sicilian Vespers; in 1290 and 1292 it was besieged and sacked by Ruggero di Lauria, admiral of the Aragonese fleet. In December 1444, when it belonged to the Marquis Antonio Centelles, it was conquered by the army of Alfonso V of Aragon: it was in the Aragonese period that it took on its present form.

From the 16th century the coast was the scene of Ottoman raids, which compromised the state of conservation of the structures and led, at the end of the 18th century, to the definitive abandonment of the islet. The fortress is managed by the Parchi Archeologici di Crotone e Sibari and on 28 June 2026 it was reopened to the public after restoration and re-functionalisation work financed by the PNRR, with a route renewed especially in the outdoor spaces and on the ground floor.

Highlights

• Aragonese fortress on an islet in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area
• Remains of a Greek military outpost incorporated into the castle
• Terrace and visit route renewed by the 2026 restoration
• Tactile maps and educational signage at the entrance

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso di visita della fortezza – Visit to the outdoor spaces, the terrace and the ground floor of the Aragonese fortress, with information panels and tactile maps.

Operated by

Parchi Archeologici di Crotone e Sibari (Ministero della Cultura)

Visitors per year

approx. 76,343

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the website of the Parchi Archeologici di Crotone e Sibari, admission is free. For organised groups and school parties booking is compulsory, and recommended for groups of more than 5 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

After the 2026 restoration the visit route, focused on the outdoor spaces and the ground floor, has been made more accessible: tactile maps in the entrance area, new educational signage and a new block of toilets. Solutions for sensory accessibility were developed with the Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti di Cosenza.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car from Salerno: A3 motorway, exit Lamezia Terme or Catanzaro Lido, then SS 106 Jonica heading south towards Isola di Capo Rizzuto.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit