At the 11th-century Castello Normanno di Squillace, learn about life in this region before Portugal was established as a sovereign country
At the 11th-century Castello Normanno di Squillace, learn about life in this region before Portugal was established as a sovereign country. Stroll around the ruins, imagine the battles that have taken place here and admire the commanding views of the surrounding hills.
Since the Byzantines first settled the town of Squillace, it has been fought over by warriors from the Saracens to the Muslim Moors. When the Normans came to town and conquered Squillace in 1044, they built this castle on the site where an early Byzantine fortification stood. View this spot that many sought to conquer.
Get close to the castle and inspect its unusual features. Note how the façade bears two towers of different shapes; one is cylindrical, while the other is polygonal. View the castle’s incoherent architectural style brought about by its numerous renovations, restorations and extensions over the centuries.
In 1783, the area was struck by a devastating earthquake, which caused much damage to the castle. This event saw parts of the castle collapse, never to be restored. As you wander around the complex, admire the views of the surrounding landscape. The castle’s hilltop location means the vistas are far-reaching.
Ask a local tour guide to tell you about the mystery of the buried skeletons found at the castle during excavation works in the early 1990s. Two skeletons, a woman and a man who appeared to have been buried holding hands and facing each other, were unearthed during the dig. Because of the special body positions, many believed they might have been lovers.
After exploring the castle, take the time to see the village of Squillace itself. The town has long been a hub for pottery production. Several shops sell ceramics made by local artisans.
To reach the Castello Normanno di Squillace, drive or take a taxi from Catanzaro or Soverato. Either trip takes about 30 minutes by car. Some tour operators also run daytrips to the village. Once in Squillace, reach the castle easily on foot.
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