# Castello di Salle

- **Country:** Italy
- **Coordinates:** 42.166760, 13.958778
- **Location Text:** Salle

The Castello di Salle, also known as Castle of Salle, is a historic medieval fortress located in the town of Salle within the Province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. Originally constructed prior to the 11th century as a defensive fief of the Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria, the structure served a primarily military purpose for several centuries. Its strategic importance evolved over time, and by the 16th century, following its integration into the Kingdom of Naples, it transitioned from a purely defensive stronghold into a noble residence. Throughout its long history, the castle was owned by prominent aristocratic families, including the Colonna and the Gonzaga D'Aquino, before being acquired in 1646 by Baron Giacinto de Genua, who initiated significant renovations to adapt the building for palatial living.

Architecturally, the castle features an irregular L-shaped plan topped by a terrace with a crenellated parapet and three rising towers. The interior surrounds a courtyard containing an Italian garden and a fountain dating back to the 1500s. A portion of the northeast wing houses the church of Blessed Roberto da Salle, while the main northern facade is distinguished by three entrances surmounted by loopholes. Today, the property belongs to the Mechi family and stands near the ruins of Old Salle, a village destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1915. The site currently functions as a cultural hub, hosting the Bourbon Medieval Museum within its walls. This museum displays a diverse collection of historical artifacts, including ancient fabrics, weapons, torture instruments, paintings, maps, and sacred vestments that illustrate the rich heritage of the region.

![Photo of Castello di Salle](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Salle%20-Castello%20Genova-%202007%20by-Raboe%2002.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castello_di_Salle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)