The Castle of Otranto, in English The Castle of Otranto, is a work by writer Horace Walpole and is commonly considered the first gothic novel literature. The story told takes place in the Salento town of Otranto. Thanks to Walpole, a whole genre of great success originated that would later include authors such as Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) and Bram Stoker (Dracula).

The author Horace Walpole (1717-1797) was an English writer and politician, son of Prime Minister Robert Walpole. For many years a member of Parliament, he achieved fame precisely with The Castle of Otranto, written on his return from his Grand Tour around Italy. The work is therefore set precisely in the Apulian manor house, and today there is also a dedicated room on the ground floor of the building.

Plot and trivia about the novel

The first edition of the The Castle of Otranto is dated 1764 and in literary fiction was presented as a translation of an ancient manuscript printed in 1529 in Naples and recently found in the library of a Catholic family in northern England. This fictional manuscript and its author Onuphrio Muralto were symbolic of the creative aspirations of Walpole, who had taken the pseudonym William Marshal.

In later editions Walpole decided to reveal the authorship of the work. In fact, a lively debate was going on in those years about what was the role of the literature. That is, whether novels should represent real life or simply be imaginary. Rather, the English writer's was an attempt to bring together the novel and the romance.

The story begins with the waiting for the wedding of Conrad, the only male heir of Manfredi, prince of Otranto, with the daughter of the marquis of Vicenza, Isabella. However, the boy does not show up and will be found in the castle courtyard crushed by a huge feathered helmet that fell down the steps.

The macabre event is said to be related to an ancient prophecy that Otranto Castle and the title of nobility will pass to the true heir when he is too old to inhabit it. Instead of despairing for his son, Manfredi lets his son know. Isabella who wants to repudiate his wife in order to marry her. The young woman flees in fear through the dungeons of the fortress, where she meets a fleeing peasant, Theodore, who helps her take refuge in St. Nicholas Abbey.

Theodore however, will be captured and sentenced to death. Shortly before he is executed, Father Girolamo recognizes his son in him. Matilda, Manfredi's daughter, falls in love with the boy, as does Isabella. Meanwhile, Federico, Isabella's father, arrives, intending to get her out of the convent where she is confined. Theodore accidentally wounds Federico, at which point the two fathers decide to grant their daughters' hand in marriage to each other.

Manfredi sees Theodore with a woman and thinking it was Isabella, he stabs her, only to discover that it was his daughter Matilda. As the woman dies, the castle collapses to its foundations and among the rubble emerges the figure of Alfonso, former prince of the lordship of Otranto, who points to Theodore as his heir. Alfonso's vision ascends into the sky and among the clouds is seen the figure of St. Nicholas of Bari. The affair ends with the marriage of Isabella and Theodore. Instead, Manfredi retires to a convent to atone for his sins.

The Castle of Otranto

Serving as the backdrop for the novel The Castle of Otranto is the ancient manor house that can be admired today in the small town of Otranto, in the province of Lecce. An important bridge to the East, Otranto since the Middle Ages has been protected with various defensive systems and fortified works, modified over the centuries by the various dominations it has undergone.

Also known as Fort a Mare, Otranto Castle was built at the request of Alfonso of Aragon, possibly on the remains of an earlier construction ordered by Frederick II of Swabia in 1228. Work began in 1485 and was entrusted to Francesco di Giorgio Martini, a well-known military architect of the Renaissance period.

The current appearance is mainly due to the Spanish viceroys. In fact, defensive works were added in 1535 thanks to Don Pedro of Toledo. At present, the castle has a pentagonal plan surrounded by a moat, a drawbridge and 4 towers. A series of tunnels and underground passages branch off below the ground floor, forming the dungeons.

Such rooms have great historical value and have remained unchanged since their construction dating back to the late 15th century. Here one can easily grasp the different phases that marked the construction of the military fortress. Today, the interior rooms host exhibitions, readings and displays.