Overview
The Castle of Gaeta, also known as the Angevin Aragonese Castle, is one of the symbols of the town on the edge of the Gulf of Gaeta on the Tyrrhenian Sea, a few kilometres from Latina. Built from the sixth to seventh centuries AD after the first invasions of the Goths, the imposing fortress overlooking the city from above has been expanded over the centuries and is today seen by visitors as two communicating structures dating back to different periods.
The lower Angevin wing dates back to the period of Angevin rule, more precisely to the reign of Charles of Anjou, and until a few years ago was the site of Gaeta's military prison. The higher section, the Aragonese wing, was built by Emperor Charles V with the aim of strengthening the military defence of the area. Until the end of the Second World War, the Carabinieri Cadet School was based here, although it now houses the Mazzini barracks of the Guardia di Finanza's nautical school.
Today, guided tours can only be made of the Angevin Aragonese Castle at certain times of the year, in particularly during one of the unmissable Gaeta Favole di Luce events, the splendid light festival that attracts thousands of tourists and visitors to the city during Christmas.
