The Castello Aragonese is a fortress on the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, southern Italy. It is located on the eastern side of the island and is connected by a 200-metre bridge to the ancient village of Borgo di Celsa, which is on the mainland.
The first parts of the fortification were built as early as the 5th century BC. But it was not until the 15th century, under the Aragonese kings, that it was to take on its present form.
Alfonso I of Naples and Sicily had the castle built on the model of the “Maschio Angioino”, the “New Castle” in Naples, and he also provided the first wooden bridge across the sea.
In the 18th century, its turbulent history was to end almost tragically – in 1809 it was besieged by British troops and almost completely destroyed by cannon fire.
The few surviving inhabitants were resettled on the mainland and the castle was used as a prison. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that it was released at auction and today it is privately owned.