Strolling Through Beautiful Castles Italy

Aragonese Castle sits on the top of a volcanic rocky islet next to Ischia, connected by a causeway at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. It was built by Hiero I of Syracuse in 474 BC. In the mid-15th century the islet was connected to Ischia by a stone bridge, which replaced the previous wooden structure. On top of that, the castle walls were also fortified to defend the inhabitants from potential pirate raids.

Castel del Monte is a lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the region of Apulia in southern Italy. It was built in the 13th century and is renowned for its regular octagonal prism shape, where an octagonal tower stands at each corner. Castel del Monte was built by Emperor Frederick II. It is featured on the one-cent coin of the Italian euro.

Castel Nuovo is among the most popular attractions in Naples. This medieval castle was built in the 13th century and became the royal seat of the kings of Naples, Spain, and Aragon. The castle is built in a trapezoidal shape with five large cylindrical defensive towers. Three of the towers are on the same wall, which is the entrance to the castle. The entrance consists of a single-sided white marble arch, which clearly stands out from the rest of the structure. It is the headquarters of the Neapolitan Society of Homeland History and of the Naples Committee of the Institute for the History of the Italian Risorgimento. In the complex there is also the civic museum, which includes the Palatine Chapel and the museum paths on the first and second floors.

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most significant historic buildings in Rome. It is located in the Parco Adriano park on the northern banks of the Tiber. This fortress was built between 123 and 139 AD. Castel Sant’Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. However, later the building was used by popes as a fortress. It was connected to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican via a covered fortified corridor. Today the castle is home to a museum.

Dodge’s Palace is well-known in Venice. It is an impressive example of Venetian Gothic architecture and renowned for its Gothic, Byzantine, and Moorish architectural elements. The bright facade of the palace marks the very heart of Venice on the shore of the Venetian lagoon. The doge ruled two empires: one on land, the lands of the northeastern Italian peninsula, which literally fed the city of Venice and provided shipbuilding timber and materials. The second empire was at sea, as the Venetian Republic controlled ports along the Adriatic, across the Mediterranean, and into the Black Sea.Since 1996 Doge’s Palace has housed a part of the Venetian museum network.

Estense Castle is a medieval castle with a moat located in the city of Ferrara in northern Italy. It was commissioned by Nicolo II d’Este for his family. The castle has four towers, symbolizing the power of the Este family. The towers are named Torre di Santa Caterina, Torre dei Leoni, Torre Marchesana, and Torre di San Paolo. Visitors can climb to the top of Torre dei Leoni for spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Fenis Castle is among the most famous castles in northern Italy. It is located about 50 km south of the Swiss border. The castle sits in the Aosta Valley surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape. Fenis Castle was not intended to be a military structure; it was the prestigious seat of the Challant family. There are many watchtowers and towers at each corner of the pentagonal shape. The inner courtyard has a semi-circular stone staircase, wooden balconies, and a 15th-century fresco depicting Saint George slaying a dragon.

Gradara Castle is located in the Marche region in central Italy. In Gradara, a small town in the province of Pesaro and Urbino. It is a medieval fortress dating back to the 12th century. This castle was featured in the famous Divine Comedy by Dante. Gradara Castle has a 30-meter-tall keep protected by two walls. The castle features a double wall system, towers, and a drawbridge, showcasing typical medieval military architecture. Visitors can explore the chambers, halls, and historic artifacts.

Miramare Castle dates back to the 19th century. It is located in northeast Italy overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. The castle was built with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Romantic styles, characterized by its picturesque towers and elaborate interiors.

On the castle grounds is a seashore park (pictured above) with tropical trees and exotic plants.