Alfonsino Castle aka Argonese Castle aka Castello Rosso...

Castello Rosso

Marina di Brindisi owes a lot to their concierge - Greta.  One of the many recommendations from Greta was the "Red Castle".  We see the castle every day so it seemed only fitting that we walk the short way over and participate in an inside tour.  We were not disappointed.

The inside port of Castello Rosso

The port of Brindisi is now and has always been an important, deep water natural port.  The name of the city is actually named for the shape of the port which is said to be the shape of a deers antlers.  In 1481, Ferrante of Aragon felt it was important to build a fortress to guard the port from the Turks.  Hence, it is called the Argonese Castle.  But then in 1485, Alfonso of Calabria transformed it into a real castle.  Hence, it is called the Alfonsino Castle.  The castle was constructed of Carparo blocks that take on a reddish hue when the sun sets behind it.  Therefore it is also referred to as the "Castello Rosso or Red Castle".  Many names - one castle.  

Embrasures for cannons

Castello Rosso was a defensive castle and they actually shot the cannons from INSIDE the castle.  You can see all the openings for the cannons.  Seems like a poor idea until you consider the thickness of the castle walls.  They are an astonishing 2.5 meters (8 feet) thick!!  Both the trapezoidal shape and the thickness of the walls made the fortress impregnable.

Dining Hall - Castello Rosso

But they found that invading forces would just sit in the harbor engaged in a waiting game.  So a fortress was built to house fighting troops.  Forte A Mare (the garrison) housed troops all the way up to 1984.  Castello Rosso/ Forte A Mare has never been taken.  Even during WWII when the castle was attacked it was not taken.  Which is good as it guards a very important and useful port.

The added garrison - Forte A Mare

The garrison (Forte A Mare) was more like several mini apartments.  Soldiers stationed here would sometimes have their families with them as they would live at the Castle/Fort for extended periods of time.

Forte a Mare

Castello Rosso is currently undergoing some extensive restoration.  Currently, visiting the castle is only possible if you have scheduled a time in advance.  While the Castle is well worth a visit now, visiting after the restoration is complete will be even better.  

The entire town of Brindisi is well worth a visit - likely not high up on the list of places to visit by tourists but a truly historic town.