The Ducal castle of Corigliano Calabro is located in the historic center of Corigliano in the province of Cosenza. There is talk of one of the most beautiful castles found in Italy.
Ducal castle of Corigliano and its history
The first news relating to the history of the castle of Corigliano dates back to the eleventh century. It was in fact the Normans who, in their conquests of Calabria and Sicily, built a primitive stronghold, to defend the perched village of Corigliano. But despite the radical renovations that almost completely erase the traces of this fortified building, it is said with almost absolute certainty that the base of the current Keep dates back to the Norman era. Subsequently, with the Aragonese domination of Calabria, Ferdinando I takes the Corigliano fiefdom and its fortress from the Sanseverino family. While in 1489, following a visit by the Duke of Calabria, there were some enlargements and restorations. Following a series of historical events, the Castle undergoes several renovations.
Luigi Compagna in 1870 made further changes to the interior of the manor. He has the internal corridor built, he re-frescoes the chapel of St. Augustine, knocks down the upper floor of the Rivellino, to create rooms for the Administration of the House. It also has some rooms decorated. With the transfer of the last members of the Compagna family to Naples, the historical cycle of the Corigliano Castle ends.
From Roberto il Guiscardo to the symbol of Calabria
The origin of the castle of Corigliano Calabro is linked to the figure of Roberto il Guiscardo (Roberto d'Altavilla). There is talk of a Norman leader with a gigantic appearance. Roberto d'Altavilla is the sixth son of Tancredi, Count of Hauteville-la-Guichard. Likewise he is also the first child of his second wife of Tancredi. It is Fresenda, daughter of Richard I of Normandy, known as Riccardo Senza Fear. Especially Richard I becomes Count of Puglia and Calabria on the death of his brother Umfredo. Later, in 1059, he was invested by Pope Nicholas II with the title of Duke of Puglia and Calabria and Lord of Sicily. Instead, in 2002, after 14 years of restoration, the Corigliano castle was finally officially handed over to the local community.
After a thousand-year life, lived as the most visible symbol of feudal and baronial power, it becomes an asset for the community.
Ducal castle of Corigliano today
Today the castle is a national monument. Tourists who come all year round can visit rooms such as the monk's prison, the nineteenth-century kitchens, the chapel of Sant'Agostino, the bedroom of the baron and the baroness. But also the Hall of Mirrors, the dining room, Mastio tower, the moat and others. In addition, the upper floor of the castle it is also used for pictorial and photographic exhibitions. Here are held conferences and cultural events open to the community. Instead, the Keep has always been the emblem of the castle. It is a characteristic construction due to its giant stature.
The crenellated towers, for example, are typical of Aragonese military architecture. the Keep, like the other towers of the Castle, show a cylindrical shape, with a wide base, with escarpments that rise up to two thirds of their height. Furthermore, the soul of the Keep is the vertiginous iron spiral staircase built by the Compagna family. But also the various decorations and frescoes made by the Florentine painter Girolamo Varni around 1870.
How to get to the Castle
How to reach the castle of Corigliano Calabro? It can be reached by car for those who prefer to drive. In fact, from the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway, take the Spezzano-Sibari exit and then take the SS 106 bis state road. The nearest airport is that of Lamezia Terme which is also connected by shuttle service in the summer.
