Castle of Gaeta stands on a rocky promontory to Gaeta on the shore of the Gulf of Gaeta in 120 km from Rome. Gaeta has played an important role in the military history of Italy: the Foundation of the city and the construction of its first fortifications belongs to the era of Ancient Rome, and in the 15th century city walls were significantly expanded and strengthened. In its long history the castle, spread over an area of 14 thousand square meters, also has been rebuilt and modified.

The exact date of construction of the Castello di Gaeta is unknown, but, according to some historians, it could be built in the 6th century during the Gothic wars, or later, in the 7th century to protect the city from invasion of the Lombards, who in those years was periodically flooded coastal territory of Lazio and Campania. The first documentary it was mentioned in 1233, the year when the Emperor Frederick II of the Hohenstaufen dynasty ordered to strengthen the design. He was stopped several times in the castle.

Current Castello di Gaeta consists of two different buildings. Its part of Anjou is located in the lower part of the castle and dates from the reign of the Anjou dynasty. Aragonese part is at the top – it was built by order of Emperor Charles V together with the other fortifications. The construction of these fortifications, by the way, made Gaeta one of the most fortified cities of Central Italy.

Until recently Anjou part of the Castello di Gaeta served as a military prison, and today it belongs to the municipality of the city and is used for holding various exhibitions and conferences. Under the dome is the tallest of its towers there is the Royal chapel, built in 1849, the year on the orders of Ferdinand II. In the Aragonese part now houses the school of Navigation.