Castro Griko:Kàstro | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Castro | |
 Castro | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Castro Location of Castro in Italy Show map of Italy Castro Castro (Apulia) Show map of Apulia | |
| Coordinates:40°1′N18°24′E / 40.017°N 18.400°E /40.017; 18.400 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Province | Lecce (LE) |
| Frazioni | Castro Marina |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Luigi Fersini |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.56 km2 (1.76 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 100 m (330 ft) |
| Population (30 June 2017)[2] | |
• Total | 2,395 |
| • Density | 525/km2 (1,360/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Castrensi or Castrioti |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 73030 |
| Dialing code | 0836 |
| Patron saint | Maria SS. Annunziata (principal) andSanta Dorotea |
| Saint day | 25 April and 6 February |
| Website | Official website |
Castro (Salentino:Casciu) is a town andcomune in theItalianprovince ofLecce in theApulia region of south-easternItaly.
Castro derives its name fromCastrum Minervae (Latin for "Athena's castle"), which was an ancient town of theSallentini, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) south ofHydruntum. Its ancient temple ofMinerva was said to have been founded byIdomeneus, who formed the tribe of the Sallentini from a mixture ofCretans,Illyrians and ItalianLocrians (Central Greek tribe).[3]
It is also said to have been the place whereAeneas first landed in Italy, the port of which he namedPortus Veneris ("Port of Venus"). The temple had lost some of its importance inStrabo's day.[3]
Castro has been since 1969 aTitular see of theRoman Catholic Church; its Latin name isCastrensis in Apulia.[4]Richard Sklba (1935–2024), auxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Milwaukee, was the most recent incumbent.[5]
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