Perched on the promontory overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta, the Angevin-Aragonese Castle is one of the most fascinating testimonies to the city’s military and political past. Its construction began between the 6th and 7th centuries AD, after the first Gothic invasions, but it was in the following centuries-under the rule of the Angevins and then the Aragonese-that the imposing fortress took on its present appearance.
The structure today consists of two main bodies:
-The Angevin wing, the oldest and located in the lower part, dates back to the reign of Charles I of Anjou. For a long time it was used as a military prison, remaining in operation until 1990 as one of the most feared military penitentiaries in Italy.
-The higher Aragonese wing was built at the behest of Emperor Charles V for the purpose of strengthening coastal defense. In more recent times it housed the Scuola Allievi Carabinieri (Carabinieri Cadet School) and is currently home to the Guardia di Finanza’s Nautical School at the Mazzini Barracks.
Since 1995, the castle has also been a cultural hub of the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, which has undertaken major restoration and enhancement of the site. Thanks to a collaboration with the Gaeta Sporting Club Association, the fortress can now be visited with a guide at certain times of the year, including the Christmas event “Fables of Light,” which transforms the town into a real light show.
Between ramparts, panoramic terraces and striking views of the sea, the Angevin-Aragonese Castle is not just a monument, but a place that tells centuries of history, power and memory.