The Aragonese Fortress of Le Castella Reopens to the Public Following Restoration and Renovation

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the Aragonese Fortress of Le Castella (Crotone) will officially reopen to the public following a major restoration and renovation project. The famous seaside castle—a symbol of the Ionian coast and one of Calabria’s most iconic monuments—is once again fully accessible thanks to a project that has enhanced its historical heritage while improving accessibility and services. The reopening is part of a broader redevelopment program involving all sites managed by the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari. The Institute is, in fact, engaged in a comprehensive infrastructure modernization plan aimed at raising the standards of visitor services, safety, and scientific research across the entire cultural system.

The work on the Fortress was coordinated directly by the Institute, acting as the implementing entity, as part of its collaboration with the General Directorate of Museums of the Ministry of Culture. The work was funded with resources from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) dedicated to the removal of architectural, cognitive, and sensory barriers through the MusAiCa_EBA project, which is part of the strategic investment plan promoted by the Ministry of Culture for Southern Italy.

The particular complexity of the castle’s original structure required in-depth technical and design analyses to ensure maximum respect for the monument’s original characteristics. The time invested made it possible to create a completely renovated and more inclusive visitor route, focused primarily on the outdoor spaces and the ground floor of the fortress. Key improvements include the repaving of the terrace, the installation of a new safety railing, updated educational signage, tactile maps placed in the entrance area, and the completion of the new restroom facility. Solutions designed to enhance sensory accessibility were developed in collaboration with the Accessibility Commission of the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Cosenza, with the goal of offering an increasingly inclusive visitor experience. The project also includes a major energy efficiency plan carried out in collaboration with the Regional Museums Directorate. The new interior lighting system has already been completed, while exterior lighting and new furnishings will be installed in the coming months.

The reopening of the Fortress represents another step forward in the revitalization initiative promoted by the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari, which aims to make the region’s cultural sites increasingly modern, accessible, and integrated into the main national tourist and cultural circuits. The program of improvements does not end here. In fact, after the summer, new restoration and improvement work will begin, to be carried out without interrupting the monument’s public access. To mark the reopening on Sunday, June 28, the Fortress will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with these hours also in effect on Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, July 1, summer hours will take effect, with the Fortress open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., while Monday will remain the weekly closing day dedicated to maintenance. Admission will be free during the first few days of reopening; regular ticket sales will resume throughout the month of July.

“Following the successful reopening last March of the National Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna, inaugurated in the presence of the Director General of Museums, Massimo Osanna,” stated the Director of Parks, Filippo Demma, “we are proud to give back to the province of Crotone, to Calabria, and to visitors another exceptional piece of our history. We haven’t simply reopened a gate; thanks to the PNRR, we are offering cognitive and sensory accessibility programs designed to welcome every visitor with the dignity they deserve. Public investments and the extraordinary operational efforts of our organization are concretely demonstrating how rigorous conservation can and must go hand in hand with a modern, inclusive approach to hospitality—one capable of generating economic development and pride for the entire region, in full alignment with the policy guidelines outlined by Minister Giuli.”

The Aragonese Fortress of Le Castella Reopens to the Public Following Restoration and Renovation

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