Nicastro's origins trace back to the 9th century, when Calabria was part of the
Byzantine Empire, when a fortress called Neo Castrum ("New Castle") was created. The centre was founded during the time of
Saracen raids (IX-Xcentury), pushing coastal inhabitants to move to surrounding higher fortified ground. However, many finds dating back to the Neolithic age and from the
Magna Graecia era (IV century BC) have emerged. In 1057, the area was conquered by the
Normans, but Nicastro revolted against
Robert Guiscard and his brother
Roger. Having dominated the revolt, the new nobiliary had the Castle built, which was restored in the XIII century by
Frederick II of Swabia in the XIII century. The castle of Nicastro served as the place of imprisonment of Frederick II's son
Henry. According to the historian
Giuseppe Maria Galanti, at the end of the 18th century, sericulture alongside the cultivation of
mulberry trees for the breeding of
silkworms were still practiced, however there was a decline in the production. == See also ==