castellania

Castellania, castellanía or castellania refers to a feudal administrative district or jurisdiction governed by a castellan—the official responsible for a castle and its surrounding lands. The term derives from castellano/castellano (castle) and was used in several medieval and early modern Iberian and Italian realms to denote both the fortress and the territory under its defense and governance.

In practical terms, a castellania encompassed the castle, the demesne, and villages within its orbit. The castellan exercised judicial and administrative authority over the inhabitants, administered rents and tolls, managed fortifications, and coordinated defense with the lord’s vassals. The precise powers and boundaries varied by region and charter, and castellanies could be integrated into larger territorial units such as lordships, marches, or provinces as feudal administration evolved.

Geographically, the concept was widespread in medieval Spain, Portugal, and parts of Italy and the Mediterranean. In some areas the castellania gradually declined with the rise of centralized states and more modern forms of administration, but it left a lasting imprint on local jurisdiction, landholding patterns, and place names.

In modern times, castellania is often encountered as a historical term. It is also the name of a notable building in Valletta, Malta—the Castellania—built by the Order of Saint John to house the civil and criminal courts and related offices; it survives as a landmark and, in some periods, as a symbol of the judiciary.