The Carafa Castle of Cirò

The Carafa Castle, in the old town of Cirò, preserves traces of transformations made over the centuries. Its origin is generally traced back to the tenth century.

From the Ruffo to the Carafa

In 1496 it passed from the Ruffo to the Carafa, who strengthened its defences. It later belonged to the Abenante, the Caracciolo and the Spinelli. In the nineteenth century it was bought by the Giglio family and adapted as a residence.

Architecture and flooring

The trapezoidal plan includes round towers and a crenellated pentagonal bastion. A vaulted entrance leads to the courtyard, around which the rooms are arranged.

The paving combines pebbles and red bricks in a design of circles, polygons and nine-pointed stars. The date 1564 appears twice and is interpreted as a possible reference to when the paving was made.

The astronomical interpretations

Some readings link the geometric figures to solar and lunar cycles and to calendar studies. A possible connection with Luigi Lilio remains an interpretive hypothesis: chronological compatibility alone is not proof of attribution.