Horace Walpole

The Castle from Otranto Horace Walpole

Otranto Castle is a novel written by Horace Walpole in 1764. It is considered the inaugural text of Gothic horror literature, initiating a literary genre that became extremely famous and popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based on a text printed in Naples in 1529 and recently rediscovered in the library of an old English family, which derived from an even older story, dating back to the time of the Crusades. It takes place in medieval Italy, tells the story of the tyrant Manfred, whose line has been cursed since his grandfather usurped the power of the castle from its rightful owners. Manfred tries to perpetuate his inheritance by marrying his weak son Conrad to Princess Isabella, but shortly before the wedding a fatal accident of apparently magical origin occurs that frustrates his designs. From this event, a series of mysterious supernatural phenomena and fiery passions will be unleashed that will take place in the suffocating and sinister castle.