Gerione Castle, Campagna, Italy

The construction of Gerione Castle was probably motivated by the need to control mountain routes and its strategic position as an observation point for a large part of the Sele plain. Documented for the first time in a parchment from 1056 during the Lombard period, the exact date of its construction is unknown.

With the Assise of Capua in 1220, the Gerione Castle was acquired by Frederick II of Sweden for the Demanio Regio, becoming directly dependent on the emperor and included among the Castra exempta, the main fortifications of the kingdom.

The structure maintained its military-defensive function until 1515 when, due to its inconvenient location for the needs of the time, it was handed over to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria della Pace by the last feudal lord to possess it, Duke Ferdinando Orsini. According to others, the castle was used both as a prison and as a Spanish garrison during the feudal rule of the Grimaldi Princes of Monaco, Marquises of Campagna.

User Reviews

serge ANDRE (3 years ago)
Beautiful site but difficult to access

Damiano Corrado (3 years ago)
The few remains of the castle are almost completely hidden by vegetation, it certainly needs maintenance worthy of its importance. However, the panorama is magnificent, from the top it is possible to admire the whole countryside. In the summer the vegetation is luxuriant and it is not easy to take the path that leads to the top.

Pierluigi Capotondi (6 years ago)
historical site of global importance, kept in total neglect perhaps used as a shelter for goats, this is the Italian cultural level after all ....

Orchidea X (6 years ago)
Medieval castle attested on a hill which overlooked and overlooked the valley created by the furrows of the two rivers, Atri and Tenza, which welcomes like an oyster the pearl of the ancient fief: Campagna. Unfortunately, few vestiges remain and the neglect and deficient administration compromise the present and the future.

O I (9 years ago)
It is a pity that it is now a ruin, which can be visited, but still needs restoration

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Gerione Castle

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