The Ruffo Castle is a medieval fortress that stood in a very strategic place, as the valley of the river Amendolea was in historical times the border between Locri and Reggio Calabria.
Its origins are uncertain; some coins found on the site and the presence near the castle of the remains of four small Byzantine churches (SS. Annunziata, Santa Caterina, San Sebastiano and San Nicola) suggest the presence of a stronghold already in the Byzantine period.
Certain is the presence of the castle in Norman times, as can be seen from studies on the construction techniques of the oldest elements.
The analysis of the walls, showing a real hammering, confirms that the castle was involved in the 13th century in the work of demolition of the castles ordered by Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire in 1230.
The castle was involved in power struggles between local noble families, among which we remember the Amendolea family, and the Ruffo family.
