Castello Ruffo of Amendolea

The Ruffo of Amendolea castle, a medieval fortress located in the village of the same name in the heart of what is known as the Grecanic area of the province of Reggio Calabria, stood in a highly strategic role, as the valley of the Amendolea river constituted in historical times the border between Locri and Reggio.

Its origins are Norman; The foundation of the castle is usually attributed to Riccardo di Amendolea, a Norman, although it is presumable that its construction took place in several different phases by the various peoples who dominated the area during the Late Middle Ages.

The presence of the castle in the Norman era is certain, as can be seen from studies on the construction techniques of the oldest elements.

From the analysis of the walls, showing a real hammering, it is confirmed that the castle was involved in the thirteenth century in the demolition of the castles ordered by Frederick II of Swabia in 1230.

Subsequently restructured, in the following centuries the castle was involved in the power struggles between local noble families, often changing owners. Among these families we remember the Amendolea family, from which the town below the castle took its name, and the Ruffo family, who bought the feud in 1624 and kept it until 1806, the year in which the feudal age ended. Three bailiffs of the Ruffo family (A. Rebuffo, F. Polistena, G. Sangallo) are remembered for the numerous feats of arms that took place during the 1600s. The bailiffs were trustees who administered the feud on behalf of the feudal family. The Baglivi behaved like true lords, sometimes committing serious abuses given that the feudal family required only an annual income, they were surrounded by thugs (good ones) especially Albanians but sometimes also Saracens with whom they maintained control of the territory.

Only a few remains remain of the castle today: the perimeter walls, a tower and what once must have been a chapel where the approximately 300 inhabitants of the castle went to pray.