Castel Sant’Angelo, located in the picturesque town of Tiriolo in the province of Catanzaro, is one of Calabria’s most significant historical landmarks. This Aragonese castle stands majestically atop the town’s historic center, offering visitors an unparalleled panoramic view of the Isthmus of Catanzaro and the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. Its strategic location has played a crucial role throughout history, serving as a point of reference and protection for the local population.
The castle’s origins date back to Norman times, when, with the conquest of southern Italy, the territory was entrusted to Ugone of Falloc. He decided to move the population of the Byzantine kastron of Monte Tiriolo to the new settlement on the Lairta hill, a choice that guaranteed greater security and water resources thanks to the presence of spring water. The structure, built according to Norman typology, played a central role in the defensive system of the Calabrian Isthmian area throughout the Middle Ages.
In 1282, during the War of the Vespers, the castle was fortified by King Charles of Anjou and entrusted to Bertrando d’Artois. Two centuries later, in 1497, the population of Tiriolo rebelled against feudal lord Galeotto Carafa, opening the gates to the French marching toward Cosenza. In the 16th century, the castle became the seat of the Governor General of Justice and also assumed the role of civil and criminal prison.
However, the 1638 earthquake inflicted severe damage to the structure, leading to the construction of a new residence by feudal lord Giambattista Cigala. From that time, the castle was used mainly as a storage and partly as a residential area until 1783, when another earthquake caused its destruction. Excavations in the 1990s uncovered important remains, including circular Aragonese towers and a cistern for collecting rainwater, helping to shed light on the fascinating history of this monument.