First Drawbridge

The first drawbridge served as the main defensive entrance to the castle’s inner courtyard. The timber bridge connected the outer fortifications to the central core and could be quickly raised in the event of an attack, isolating the main tower and the Maschietto Tower. 

Local tradition recounts that the Caetani occasionally used the moat below as an additional barrier, filling it with water or obstacles to impede attackers. Yet the drawbridge was more than a defensive mechanism. Lowering it was a gesture of authority and welcome, signalling that high-ranking visitors were welcome to enter the heart of the fortress.