The Castle of Otranto

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The Castle, in its initial configuration, the end of '400, it appeared in
the shape of quadrangle (trapezoid rectangle), with the top four Washers (circular towers), with one facing the sea in the most protrudingposition, as is often represented in the Treaties by Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
The configuration that we see today is the result of constant changes, which affected the fortress throughout the '500, imposed by the continuous evolution and improvement of firearms.
And 'bordered on all sides by a deep moat which is exceeded at the entrance with a bridge, now with stone arch and wooden decking, probably originally type drawbridge.
A narrow corridor leads directly to the lobby of the ground floor. Crossing it known thickening of the facade built in the early '500.
All areas of the plan, developed behind the curtains outside a rectangular or square, overlooking the courtyard and are covered by systems at once.
Outside the original quadrilateral develop two environments, certainly among the most representative of the entire structure: the salt triangular and rectangular.
The triangular room that was generated by the expansion of the mid '500, when it was added outside the rampart between the two washers. Particularly striking is the vaulted ceiling of this room defined by the intersection of three nails of stone pavilion carparo that follow the particular form of the local plan.
The Chapel on the ground floor looks partially frescoed and contains within various frames and inscriptions, including those of the tomb of Donna Teresa De Azevedo, who died on February 23, 1707, to which her husband, Don Francesco de la Serna and Molina , warden at the time, devoted a tender in which the epigraph indicates which "example of modesty, the goddess of beauty, model of honesty, offspring of Spanish heroes."
Below the ground floor is a maze of tunnels, galleries and small rooms, which defines the system of "underground". These environments are of great historical value, very suggestive, remained unchanged since their construction, dating from the first plant of the end '400. Only some paths have been, with the completion of firearms, in '500, small transformations and expansions.
The basement is the place where it becomes easier to read the different stages that have characterized the construction of the Castle: the first plant of the end '400, linings and reinforcements of the curtains and some washers early' 500, the addition of the bastion triangular half of '500 and, finally, the realization of the strut seaward end of' 500.
Through a stone staircase and a covered outdoor staircase, also in stone, you can reach the balcony of the first floor, which guarantees admission to a number of environments that are modeled broadly location and setting of the ground floor.
From this level is accessed, however, within the three washers still present at the corners.
In the heart of the washers, protected by a thick external environments are circular, covered by hemispherical domes stone carparo, where they were placed bombs and cannon fire mouths oriented towards communicating with the outside.
On covers are the patrol routes, protected by thick walls with loopholes for the disposal of gunboats.
Both the external and curtains inside the atrium are some coats of arms of kings and nobles, players in the history of the Castle. Particularly interesting is the one in the front door with the emblem carved Emperor Charles V.
The fortress is the location of the first Gothic novel in history: The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole (1764).

The Aragonese Castle of Otranto is currently closed to the public for work in progress.

By http://www.comune.otranto.le.it/otranto-nella-storia/da-visitare/item/castello-aragonese