The sixteenth-century castle was built on the orders of Emperor Charles V to defend the harbour against Ottoman raids. It sits at the edge of the old town, its walls rising directly from the sea. Today it hosts exhibitions and cultural events, and the views from the ramparts across the harbour and along the coast are worth the modest entrance fee.
Castello di Carlo V
Seaside fortress built to repel Ottoman raids
A story
The castle was built in just two years (1552–1554), a remarkable pace for a coastal fortification of its size. Construction was overseen by the Spanish viceroy of Naples, acting under strict orders from Charles V to have defences in place before the next Ottoman campaigning season.