Castello Carlo Quinto

Castle in Lecce

Castello Carlo Vjpg
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Velvet

The Castle of Charles V, also known as the Castello di Lecce, is a prominent historical fortress in Lecce, Italy. Initially built in the Middle Ages, the castle was significantly strengthened by Charles V in 1539, following the designs of architect Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya. To construct this fortress, the Chapel of the Trinity and the Monastery of the Benedictine Order of the Saint Cross were demolished.

The castle served multiple purposes over the centuries. In the 18th century, one of its rooms was transformed into a theatre. From 1870 to 1979, it functioned as a military district. Today, the castle houses the Cultural Affairs department of the township of Lecce and serves as a venue for various cultural events and initiatives.

Visitors are often charmed by the castle’s delicate interior ornaments, including the intricately decorated capitals and the grand room with its imposing stained glass windows. The upper rooms are supported by massive stone columns, adding to the castle’s majestic ambiance.

A legend associated with the castle tells of the Orsini del Balzo family, who owned the castle in the 14th century. According to the tale, the family kept a white bear in the castle moat. This bear served as a status symbol and a deterrent to prowlers.

The Castello Carlo Quinto appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lecce!

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Visiting Castello Carlo Quinto

Address: Castello Carlo V, Via XXV Luglio, Lecce, Province of Lecce, Italy
Duration: 20 minutes

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