Things to do in Corigliano Calabro, Calabria: The Best Sights & Landmarks

THE DUCAL CASTLE OF CORIGLIANO CALABRO Built as a military fortress in 1073, the castle underwent a series of transformations through time. The princes Sanseverino, the dukes Saluzzo and the barons Compagna changed and enlarged the original structure to make it safe from attacks and adapt it to a noble residence. Between 1487 and 1495 it became a military base owned by the Royal Administration. In this period by royal command, as testified by the stone tablet on the main entrance, were built the four towers. They were probably built by Antonio Marchesi from Settignano, pupil of Francesco di Giorgio Martini, royal military architect in Naples, renown throughout European Courts. Between 1515 and 1516 count Bernardino Sanseverino promoted further enlargements and brand new constructions such as the towers, the residence, the defensive assets, the pond and the dungeons. Between 1650 and 1720 the dukes Saluzzo, the new owners, ordered the construction of the octagonal tower on the Mastio, the Chapel of Saint Augustine and completed the general coverings of the building. In 1828 the Manor was purchased by Giuseppe Compagna. His second son, Luigi commissioned to the Florentine painter Girolamo Varni the frescoes in the Chapel of St Augustine and in the Mastio tower. The hall of mirrors was beautifully decorated by Maestro Ignazio Perricci from Monopoli. In 1872 the great XIX c. Neapolitan painter Domenico Morelli painted the trittico 'Madonna of the Roses' with Saint Anthony the Abbott and Saint Augustine on each side. In 1971 Francesco Compagna sold, for a symbolic amount, the castle to the Archbishop of Rossano. In 1979, it was finally purchased by the municipality of Corigliano, between 1988 and 2003 massive restoration works interested the Manor Today the ducal castle of Corigliano is a one of a kind museum where you can visit: *The middle floor , where you can visit the dungeons, the XIX kitchen in pig iron and the Santa Barbara. *The noble floor where you will see the beautifully decorated rooms with original furniture . *The dining Room, richly set with old pottery and cutlery underneath a beautiful cast-iron chandelier. *The hall of mirrors owing its name to the big mirrors on the walls, framed by gilded stuccos and rich tapestry . The room is enriched by chandeliers in bohemian crystal and by the ceiling decorated with unbelievable trompe-l'oeil effects. *The tower Mastio , made up of five floors, four of which connected by a cast iron staircase, the vaults here are decorated by Girolamo Varni with scenes inspired by Ancient Rome and crusaders. The visit will take you back in time while walking through richly decorated rooms , recreating atmospheres gone for good. Administration of the Castle White Castle Associazione culturale Opening time. Every day Winter: 9:30-13:00/15:00-18:30 Summer: 10:00-13:00/16:30-20-30 Closed on Monday From July 1 to August 31 it's possible to book evening guided tours starting from 21:00 to 00:00 on Monday and Wednesday. The ducal castle offers the following services : Ticket point- guided tours - snack point - Conferences- shuttle service. It's also possible to reserve the interiors and external spaces of the castle for art exhibitions, weddings, events, photo shoots, TV shoots and film industry.