Swabian Castle – the oldest manor of the city of Brindisi

History and description

Also known as Castello di Terra or Swabian‑Aragonese Castle, the Swabian Castle of Brindisi is the oldest and most imposing fortress of the Apulian city. Its construction dates back to the Swabian age: according to local chronicles, it was founded by Frederick II in 1227, during the period when the future emperor stayed in Brindisi between his marriage to Yolande of Brienne (1225) and his departure for the Sixth Crusade (1228).

From the very beginning, the building rose on a pre‑existing Norman defensive structure, and for its construction, materials from ancient city monuments were reused, particularly from the Roman amphitheater. Over the centuries, it underwent numerous modifications: under the Angevins, Charles I of Anjou restored the castle and built an internal royal palace between 1272 and 1283. Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries, under Ferdinand I of Aragon, new walls were erected to adapt to the use of firearms, along with an outer wall surrounding the landward side of the castle, complete with bastions and circular towers. Further works were carried out in 1526 and 1530, including the raising of parapets and new defensive structures such as the Batteria di Levante and the Baluardo della Campanella on the seaward side.

In the 19th century, the Swabian Castle was used as a penal colony under Joachim Murat and later under the Bourbon and Savoy regimes, until in 1909 it became the property of the Italian Navy, which still uses it today as the headquarters of the San Marco Marine Brigade. Architecturally, the castle has an original trapezoidal plan centered on an internal courtyard, with the ancient core characterized by seven towers connected by curtain walls, later reinforced with outer walls, bastions, circular towers, and artillery‑adapted defenses. Among the most fascinating elements are the historic prisons, especially the so‑called torretta della ferrata, a tower where prisoners were often chained, leaving engravings on the walls that are still visible today.

Curiosities

The inscriptions in the torretta della ferrata, carved by prisoners, bear witness to the personal and often dramatic dimension of imprisonment; some date back to the 16th–17th centuries and include epigraphs, names, and dates.

Access

The Swabian Castle is generally open to the public free of charge only during guided tours, which take place one weekend per month.

How to reach it

Located at Via dei Mille, 4, in the center of Brindisi, the castle can be reached by car or by public transport heading towards the historic center, and then on foot.

The Swabian Castle is therefore a monument that embodies the historical layers of Brindisi and still today stands as an architectural and cultural symbol of the city.

Photo credits: Valeria De Robertis (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0