The castle of Bovino was built by the Norman Count Drogone and later expanded by Frederick II, and in the 1600s it was transformed into a noble residence by the dukes of Guevara. Currently inhabited by the descendants of the Guevara family, in the past it was one of the most beautiful patrician residences in the South of Italy.
The Norman tower exists and is supported by a massive barbacane, in pyramidal shape. The construction is still retains good, between rocks and walls that partly retain vestiges of roman and hanging gardens. The castle stands on a rocky spur and overlooks the whole valley, famous for the raids of the bandits who, until the advent of united Italy, took to assaulting and plundering caravans and coaches that, from the Campania Region, to reach the Adriatic coast, were forced to pass through this narrow and dangerous throat between the mountains. The rooms of the Palazzo Ducale offer the visitor the possibility to appreciate the rich decor and visit the small but charming private chapel with majolica floor, where there is preserved a fragment of Sacred Plug, nestled in a cross of admirable workmanship, together with many relics of saints including a particle of purpura of Jesus Christ.
Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.