Aragonese Castle of Otranto
Castello Aragonese di Otranto
A late 15th-century seaside fortress with a well-preserved moat and round towers. It is also the inspiration for The Castle of Otranto, widely regarded as the first Gothic novel.
The Aragonese Castle was rebuilt by the House of Aragon between 1485 and 1498, after an Ottoman siege in 1480. It features round towers, pentagonal bastions and a deep moat, reflecting the new fortress design of the era for defence against artillery. In 1764, English writer Horace Walpole named his novel The Castle of Otranto after this place. It is widely recognized as the first Gothic novel, although he himself never visited. The castle often hosts art exhibitions, and climbing the walls offers views over the old town and harbour. Admission is around 10 euros. It is located at the southeast corner of the old town.
Opening hours
About 10:00 am–7:00 pm (extended into the evening in summer)
Nearby sights
- Otranto Cathedral
- Otranto
- Bauxite Quarry Lake
- Punta Palascia Lighthouse
- Baia dei Turchi
- Faraglioni di Torre Sant'Andrea
- Torre dell'Orso
- Grotta Zinzulusa