Altamura Castle: The Fortress That Vanished into Its Own City
How Altamura Ate Its Own Castle and Forgot Where It Put the Bones Castello di Altamura was formerly a prominent structure in the city of … Read more
Italian History
Historical news, galleries and features from Italy.
Unravel the mysteries of Italy’s past with the Italian History category on WeirdItaly.com. This section explores the lesser-known, peculiar, and intriguing aspects of Italy’s rich history, from ancient civilizations to modern times. Discover hidden stories, unusual events, and extraordinary characters that have shaped Italy’s unique historical narrative.
Norman Castle, Terlizzi
The Norman castle of Terlizzi is a Norman castle built in the 11th century. Terlizzi became a feudal area after the Norman invasion and fell … Read more
Sannicandro Castle: Byzantine Walls, Norman Tunnels, and Hohenstaufen Falconry Niches
How Sannicandro Castle Was Built Three Times by Three Different Empires The Norman-Hohenstaufen Castle is a medieval building located in Sannicandro di Bari, Southern Italy. … Read more
Santo Stefano Abbey: When the Knights of Malta Turned a Monastery into a Fortress
Monopoli’s Coastal Stronghold: A Norman Abbey Fortified by the Knights of Malta Santo Stefano Castle, also known as Santo Stefano Abbey, is an important coastal … Read more
Charles V Castle in Monopoli: Five Centuries Stacked on Messapian Foundations
Monopoli’s Castle: Roman Gates, a 10th Century Church, and Charles V’s Coastal Ambitions The castle of Charles V in Monopoli is a 16th-century castle built … Read more
The Most Beautiful Castles in Abruzzo, Italy
Best Castles to visit in Abruzzo, Italy Several historic castles of Abruzzo were strongholds or fortifications on mountaintops to guard the valleys, particularly those of … Read more
Conversano Castle: Seven Centuries of Counts and a Tower for Every Dynasty
The Castle Where Ancient Norba’s Megalithic Walls Still Hold Up Medieval Towers Conversano Castle is a medieval castle in Conversano, Apulia, southern Italy. Since Norman … Read more
Bari’s Swabian Castle: Roger II Built It, William I Destroyed It, Frederick II Rebuilt It
The Castle Where Frederick II Spied on Saint Francis Through a Peephole Castello Normanno-Svevo or Swabian Castle is a medieval castle in Bari, Apulia, southern … Read more
Châtelard Castle: The Bishop Who Built a Fortress in Peter II of Savoy’s Image
How Bishop Rodolphe Grossi borrowed Peter II of Savoy’s fortification style for his own castle Châtelard Castle is a medieval castle in the town of … Read more
La Mothe Castle: The Savoyard Secretary Who Married Into a Valley and Named a Fortress
La Mothe Castle in Arvier: From Feudal Oath to Barn in Four Centuries La Mothe Castle is a medieval castle located in Arvier, Aosta Valley. … Read more
Montmayeur Castle: The Fortress Built by a Count Who Beheaded a Judge and Fled
A judge beheaded under false pretenses and his head sent as a legal exhibit to Chambéry Montmayeur Castle, also known as Arvier Castle, is a … Read more
Introd Castle: A Square Keep That Became Round Over Three Centuries
A 12th century square keep expanded by Pierre Sarriod and reshaped in the 15th century Introd Castle (French: Château d’Introd) is located in Introd, Aosta … Read more
Châtel-Argent: A Triple-Walled Emergency Fortress Overlooking the Aosta Valley
Châtel-Argent: A Triple-Walled Emergency Fortress Overlooking the Aosta Valley Châtel-Argent is an ancient castle, now ruined, that stands on high ground overlooking the Dora Baltea … Read more
Sabir: the Mediterranean lingua franca
The Origins and Evolution of Sabir: A Pidgin Idiom in Mediterranean Ports. The Mediterranean lingua franca, also known as sabir, was a pidgin idiom spoken … Read more
Sarriod de La Tour: The Castle That Grew by Leaning Buildings Against Each Other
A pre-14th century donjon surrounded by structures each generation added without symmetry The Sarriod de La Tour castle is a medieval manor house located in … Read more