Castello
di Oria (Castle of Oria)
From the hill the Castle dominates the old
town centre of Oria, a city of ancient origins
lying in the northeast side of the Canal
of Otranto.Oria or Hyria was a very important
place as it is confirmed by the findings
of coins,tombs,vases and inscriptions.During
the Middle Ages it was disputed by the Goths,the
Byzantines, the Longobards and the Saracens
because of its strategic position.Afterwards
it became property of the Principality of
Taranto and its Castle played an important
role in the struggles of the Angevin time
and in the wars between the Spanish and
the French people.
Built by Frederick II in 1227 and ended
during the XV century, the Castle is a massive
three-sided fortress equipped with big towers
- the biggest ones are the so-called Torre
Normanna (Norman Tower),Torre del Cavaliere
(Tower of the Knight) and Torre del Santo
(Tower of the Saint) - and with embattled
barrage.Throughout the centuries the Castle
has undergone many works.Inside it you can
visit the Martini-Carissimo Archaeological
Museum and the XI-century crypt of St Crisante
and of St Daria.
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