| IRisolo castle, in the historic medieval town of Specchia is a good example of a late medieval defensive structure which was transformed into a stately home in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The formidable quadrangular structure of the castle has on one side Piazza del Popolo, included some years ago in the top one hundred most beautiful medieval centres in Italy.
The castle was built on the ruins of an older fortress, destroyed at the same time as the walls between 1434 and 1435 by the allied troops of Louis III of Angers against the local baron Giacomo del Balzo.
It was the Del Balzo family which made sure that Specchia was re-fortified and had the castle rebuilt.
Despite constant changes it was only during the 18th century, when the Protonobilissimo family took over ownership of the castle, that the building was transformed into a stately residence rather than a castle, although at least two of the original towers are still visible.
It is Desiderio Protonobilissimo himself, prince of Muro Leccese, along with his wife Margherita Trane, holder of the feudal town of Specchia after the death of her father Ottavio, who are portrayed in the two statues which stand, together with the family coat of arms, above the handsome ashlar door which opens onto the castle’s internal courtyard.
Careful restoration has meant that the building is well preserved and fully accessible, and part of it has now been turned into a hotel. |