The history of castles in Salento is connected to the history of the land, objective during centuries of invasion by Turks or Saracens and continuous threats coming from the sea. Built as instrument of defence, they changed in prestige symbols and places where nobility used to live. They are the stronghold of history, the history of Terra d’Otranto characterized by several dominations.

Castles are present in the whole Salentine area, from a coast to another one coming through the hinterland, even though many of them are located along the Adriatic coast as most of invasions by Turkish fleet and pirates came from that side of the sea. Almost the all Salentine villages have their own castle in the old town. Some castles keep perfectly after being rebuilt during centuries because of several invasions. Every castle is unique but almost all castles are characterized by big towers and bastions as defence of the area. Some castles, as the castle of Copertino or Corigliano d’Otranto, two marvellous jewels of military architecture, had throughout centuries ornamental conversions of portals which have been enriched by typical statues and decorations of Lecce-Baroque style.

Most of castles represents now the cultural heart of the Salentine peninsula welcoming cultural seasons, shows, exhibitions and important meetings, like Charles V castle in Lecce or the castle in Acaya, giving a new life to these important architectural buildings.