In the heart of Lecce, on the boarder between the historical center and the modern city, closer to Piazza Sant’Oronzo, stands the castle Carlo V, a defensive structure.
Originally, the castle had a quadrangular shape, with two east towers - the Torre Mozza and the Torre Magistra - and a moat that surrounded it on four sides.
Later, by the will of Charles V, it was remodeled by the architect Gian Giacomo d'Acaya. On that occasion, in addition to renovating the existing building, a mighty trapezoid-shaped bastion was erected and the moat was covered, transforming it into an underground gallery.
The Castle has a quadrangular shape and at every corner it has a bastion: that of S. Croce, that of San Giacomo, San Martino and Ss.Trinità. The military architecture is particularly accurate on the western side and is located on the road that leads to San Cataldo, marine area from which came the enemy attacks. At that time, to access the city it was necessary to cross the Royal Gate, protected by two bastions and a drawbridge to overcome the new moat, built later.
From 1870 to 1979 the castle was a barracks and military district but in 1983 it was ceded to the administration that still uses it as the seat of the Department of Culture but, above all, a venue for events and cultural activities.
