Baronial Castle of Cirigliano

The baronial castle dominates the centre of Cirigliano. It is recognisable by its large circular tower with beccatelli (corbels supporting the parapet), which was part of the medieval village walls, and it houses a rare oval tower in its courtyard.

History

The castle was built in 1593 on the remains of an earlier fortification from the late Byzantine period. In 1595 it was bought by the Coppola family for 13.000 ducats, and in 1750 it passed to the Formica barons. The last major remodelling dates from 1842-1843, as the inscription on the façade records: the brothers Filippo, Angiolo and Giuseppe Formica, after abolishing the signs of feudal jurisdiction, reshaped the old castle “into a better form”. Despite the changes, it retains its original layout. Today it is owned by the Comune (town council).

What to see

• The oval tower in the courtyard, designed by the architect Pietro D’Agincourt: with its elliptical plan, it is one of the few examples of its kind visible in Europe.
• The circular tower built into the city walls, with its arrow slits and the opening beneath the corbels from which the surrounding area was watched.
• The small balconies on the square, supported by carved corbels with six women’s faces: three have very elaborate hairstyles, the other three a clearly visible goitre.
• Sections of the walls that once defended the village.
• The Chapel of the Addolorata, attached to the castle, with its 18th-century furnishings.

How to get there

The castle is in Piazza IV Novembre, in the centre of the village; there is parking nearby. A short walk away is the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta).

Useful information

• The exterior, with its towers and carved balconies, can be seen freely from the square.
• To enter the courtyard and the chapel, it is best to contact the Comune or the Pro Loco di Cirigliano (local tourist association) in advance.