The Aragonese Castle

The Aragonese Castle, also known as Castel Sant'Angelo, is the main fortification in Taranto and marks the boundary between the old and the new part of the town.

The fortress was designed in the late 15th century by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, upon request of the Aragon King Ferdinand I of Naples, who wanted it for defensive purposes.

Placed on the seashore to guard the city's navigable canal, it was built over an earlier Norman structure, which was itself based on a stronghold that the Byzantines had constructed to protect themselves against the Saracens.

Of particular interest are the wide, short towers that emphasize the structure's defensive function. The Castle was used as a prison by the Habsburgs and today houses an Italian Navy base. It is often opened to guided tours and used to stage exhibitions and events.