The Castle of Cleto in Calabria: singular characteristics of a fortress

Located on the top of a hill, the Cleto Castle has features common to similar fortifications scattered across the Calabrian Apennines, but it stands out by other singular interesting characteristics. In the paper, these are highlighted through a specific illustration and some considerations relating to the conservation and preservation of the building of undoubted historical-monumental value. From the historical references emerges a first character of the fortress, its construction by complementary parts in about 5 centuries, with differentiated construction techniques. The elevated position, dominating the surrounding environment, gives it a privileged lookout character, able to control a vast land, up to the sea more than 6 km away, and to prevent enemy incursions. The architectural and structural characteristics of the castle suggest an intermediate image between the simple wall fortification and the building closed on itself; different components clearly stand out such as two main towers, housing units, open spaces, mighty stone arches. A singular aspect consists in the presence of several cisterns and silos dug into the rock, used to ensure a reserve of water and cereals, a considerable potential for resistance to external aggressions. Also important is the urban relationship between the castle and the village below; the fortress appears clearly detached, but also closely linked to the village; moreover the same village was fortified with boundary walls and few gates, creating a sort of double protective belt for the inhabitants. Another peculiar feature is highlighted: the castle stands on a rocky formation of arenaceous limestone, with layers of different cohesion, subject to the erosive actions of the wind and rain, undermining the foundations. A safeguard action on the fortress requires collaborative interdisciplinary knowledge and skills; the paper mentions some of the potential needs for conservative actions.