It rises imposingly and sumptuously on top of the hill on which the town of Rocca Imperiale lies. Erected by Frederick II of Swabia following the issuance of the Edicts of Capua in 1220, by which the emperor ordered the construction or renovation of as many as 200 castles for defensive purposes in our southern Italy. The castle was built in a place of great military and strategic importance: controlling the ancient Appia-Traiana road, which starting from Reggio Calabria and running along the Ionian Sea was to join the ancient Appian Way at Brindisi..
