Ruggero Castle

The history of Lauria castle is linked to Ruggiero di Lauria (Roger of Lauria), the famous Admiral of Sicily and Aragon who was considered a military genius after winning many battles. The castle dominates the entire Noce valley in such an unassailable position that it withstood the attacks of Napoleon's General Massena, who, when he succeeded in conquering the town after the uprising against French rule in 1806, brutally slaughtered the inhabitants in what became known as the Massacre of Lauria. The castle has been damaged over the centuries, notably during the bombing of World War II.

History and nature are strongly intertwined in Lauria, which is located in the Pollino National Park against the backdrop of the Sirino massif (whose highest peak is Monte Papa, at 2500 m), which is carpeted with beech forests that are almost always snow-covered and is a favourite year-round destination for hikers and mountain lovers. Also not to be missed is an excursion to the shores of Lake Laudemio (Lake Remmo), at an altitude of 1500 metres and of glacial origin.