Termoli Castle (Italy)

The Swabian Castle of Termoli is the most representative defensive building of the entire Molise coast.

Probably built in the Norman era around the 11th century, in the place of a pre-existing tower from the Lombard era.

It was renovated in 1247 by Frederick II, hence the name of "Svevo". It consists of two well-preserved buildings in the shape of a truncated pyramid: the first is wider and has cylindrical turrets at the corners that rise directly from the defensive curtain; the second body, a parallelepiped tower, starts from the apex of the latter and rises in height.

The gate was defended by a drawbridge.

The earthquake of 1456 caused considerable damage to the castle of Termoli, such that Ferdinand I of Aragon had to foresee its reconstruction. The building then underwent several changes, adapting to new construction techniques and war requirements. The Castle was defended by a robust wall in which the cylindrical towers were inserted; of these perfectly preserved, is the one that anticipates the entrance arch to the village. During the Bourbon period the building was partly used as a prison and from 1885 it was listed among the national monuments and designated as a regional historical museum.

Recent restorations have brought to light traces of hydraulic systems, service galleries and other architectural elements with military functions that made the castle the central pivot of an efficient defense system for the entire town.

Today some rooms are used as a Municipal Art Gallery and used for conferences and events, as well as being, in the upper part, a weather station of the Air Force.

In all the legends, every castle has its ghost, in Termoli, the ghost of the castle is 'u mazz'marill', a mischievous ghost and joker who wandered around the ancient village at night, making mischief in the fishermen's houses and then retiring to rest in his castle.

On August 15 of each year the evocative manifestation of the castle fire takes place, to evoke the assault suffered by the Turks, so in the enchanting setting of the Borgo Vecchio the building lights up with fires and colors.