Castle of Stilo

The Castle of Stilo or Norman Castle is a castle of the Norman period built at Stilo, Calabria in southern Italy by Roger I of Sicily upon Monte Consolino in the 11th century.

Castle of Stilo
Stilo, Italia
Castle of Stilo (August 2013)
Castle of Stilo from the top (August 2013)
Coordinates38°28′50″N 16°27′51″E
TypeCastle
Site information
ConditionUnder restoration since 2009
Site history
Built11th century
Starting point of the panoramic path

History

The first reference to the Norman castle at Stilo is from May 7, 1093 in a concession act of the Great Count to Saint Bruno: "elegerunt itaque quondam solitudinis locum inter locum qui dicitur Arena et oppidum quod appelatur Stilum".[1]

In the 13th century, it was one of the seventeen castles in Calabria managed by Reale Curia during the reign of Charles I of Naples and it was also used as a prison. In that period, it was subjected to maintenance as written in folio 233 of 1281 of Regia Zecca Archive.[2]

In the registry of April 14, 1323, it was written that Duke of Calabria, son of King Robert give to Noble, Contestabile, Baron of Settingiano Marco the "Castellania of Stilo" (ruling the Castle of Stilo) to him and his descents.[3]

Since 2009 the castle has been under restoration.

Paths

The castle is reachable by two main paths: from the panoramic and high slope path that start near Cattolica church, and following the Stilo's Via Crucis path composed by fourteen steps and three rest and panoramic area with benches, the second much larger and less sloped starts near Stilo Cemetery.

Legends about Norman Castle

The Norman castle is haunted by a ghostly drumming sound. It has been said that centuries ago, a drummer boy was sent through the castle cellar to follow a secret passage, while beating on his drum so others could follow the sound. But at the half-point, the drumming suddenly stopped and the drummer boy mysteriously vanished without a trace.

See also

References
  1. "La storia di Stilo e del suo regio demanio of Luigi Cunsolo, p52>
  2. Luigi Cunsolo (1965). La storia di Stilo e del suo regio demanio. Roma: Gangemi Editore. pp. 53–54. ISBN 88-7448-185-3.
  3. Luigi Cunsolo (1965). La storia di Stilo e del suo regio demanio. Roma: Gangemi Editore. p. 59. ISBN 88-7448-185-3.
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