The old castle "Strongilos", Greek word meaning round, was probably built around 550 AD, by order of Justinian. It is ignored when and why it was destroyed, but it is assumed that it dates back to the period of Saracen invasions and destruction.
The Norman-age castle has a quadrilateral plan with cylindrical corner towers; the latter are still clearly visible as are the perimeter walls. It underwent renovations in feudal times by the princes of Sanseverino, Counts Campitelli and Princes Pignatelli.
In the ninth century it was used as a prison and in the 50s it housed the Middle Schools in the upper rooms.
