Previously Uncharted Medieval Castle Discovered in Italy After Centuries
An enormous castle from the medieval or Renaissance era, previously missing from record, has been uncovered in Lazio, Italy.
The remarkable discovery was uncovered on the side of a hill, buried beneath several hundred years worth of branches and leaves. Investigators used satellite imaging to determine its location after they saw the uncharted site was roughly the same scale as Tuscany’s Sarzanello Fort, one of the best-preserved Renaissance-era military castles in the region.
On maps, only a tower—the Torre d’Ischia—appears. There was no castle known to Renaissance historians at Toree d’Ischia. Researcher Marcello Assandri visited the location to prove a long-held hypothesis that the land also housed a military castle. The theory proved correct, as he discovered fortified walls assembled in a perimeter around the known tower, in addition to a subterranean level which has yet to be explored.
According to Assandri, the castle of Torre d'Ischia is mentioned in a notary document from 1493, and is featured in a painting created between 1595–1597. He feels that the fortified walls and tower appear to have been added after that, considering their inflections of Renaissance architecture.
Local historic authorities and specialists are currently investigating to determine what era the structure originated in, and what exactly it was used for.
Assandri’s exploration of the castle’s grounds reveals that the structure, though overgrown, has been astonishingly well maintained. He shows off the subterranean level (and one very ethereal white horse), before highlighting a set of stone steps which still snake into the hills and around the property. You can watch the full video below.
