Le Castella Fortress – Le Castella loop from Le Castella
Le Castella Fortress – Le Castella loop from Le Castella
7
hikers
Le Castella Fortress – Le Castella loop from Le Castella
01:00
3.82km
30m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
1.26 km
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Le Castella
Highlight • Religious Site
Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary
The Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, located along the main street of the village of Le Castella, the building has a very simple architecture with a gabled roof. A facade is linear with a finely executed stone portal. There is no bell tower, the bells are placed in a three-light window that overlooks the facade itself.
The interior is basilica plan with a ceiling panel built during the last restoration of 1989-90 with exposed timber trusses lit by six stained glass windows opening on the side walls and apse.
Text / Source: Proloco Le Castella
prolocolecastella.it/index.php?id=62
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.41 km
Le Castella Fortress
Highlight • Castle
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.50 km
Aragonese Castle of Le Castella
Highlight • Castle
In one of the most beautiful stretches of the marine reserve "Capo Rizzuto" stands one of the most fascinating castles in Italy, also thanks to its particular position that makes it triumphant on a small island connected to the coast by a thin strip of land. The fortress, built in the fifteenth century, never housed the local nobility, but served as a shelter for soldiers fighting the attacks of invaders from the sea. The current fortress rests on foundations from the Magno-Greek period (400 BC.c), which over time was also used by the Romans, was the refuge of Hannibal, in retreat. Even today it is possible to note the different construction phases, superimposed in different eras, Norman, Swabian, Byzantine, Angevin and Aragonese, which built on the Greek walls powerful castle defenses modeled on the times. Constantly attacked by the Turks, the fortress remained inhabited until the early 800, the year when the population moved to the mainland and gave life to a small village of sailors, which is today the current tourist center.
The Aragonese fortress, almost completely restored, is characterized by some rooms (the video room, the photo room and the "Phrurion room"); an old village with the remains of a small church and a chapel; the panorama wall; The thirteenth-century tower, the highest point of the fortress.
Text / Source: Proloco Le Castella
prolocolecastella.it/index.php?id=18
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.58 km
Salotto Aragonese
Highlight • Restaurant
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.66 km
Le Castella
Highlight • Castle
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.72 km
Monument to Uccialì, Le Castella
Highlight • Monument
Monument to Kilic Ali Pasha
Uccialì legendary figure in popular tradition, captured by Saracen pirates, becomes one of the most feared pirates of his time.
In the sixteenth century by .C. Le Castella went through a sad period marked by economic decline and human misery. Once rich and prosperous country becomes the scene of devastation caused by Turkish piracy. Pirates from the deep Mediterranean landed on these shores to plunder food, goods and kidnap young men, women and especially children to be sold as slaves in their lands.
On the hot day of April 29, 1523, you can see pirate ships on the horizon of the Castellese coast. The frightened populace sought shelter in their hiding places, while brave men took refuge within the walls of the fortress to use weapons to defend the fortress. The Turks, led by the corsairs of Algiers Khai and Din, known as Barbarossa, capture and sack Le Castella, sowing terror and death.
Among the people captured and enslaved in Constantinople there is a child named Giovanni Dionigi Galeni (1519 - 1587) who was sold to the pirate Giafer for a few denarii. The little boy was destined for the hard work of the helm and during this hard work he learned many maritime secrets and honed his skills as a seasoned naval strategist. This knowledge was useful for his master in everyday pirate life, especially in times of difficult fight against the enemy. Giovanni, now a young man an expert in the sea, appreciated Giafer's sympathy and esteem, even if it verged on the death sentence for an accident that happened just inside the walls of the pirate house. To repair the accident and escape death, John had to renounce his faith and marry his master's daughter. And so it was.
Text / Source: Proloco Le Castella
prolocolecastella.it/index.php?id=61
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.93 km
View of Le Castella Fortress
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3.82 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.43 km
455 m
449 m
445 m
Surfaces
1.58 km
1.30 km
758 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Thursday 3 September
35°C
24°C
-- %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: -- km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free