Avella Castle, Avella, Italy

Also called Saint Michael's Castle, Castle of Avella was built by the Lombards in the 8th century AD in a strategic position. In fact, it dominates the access that connects Monteforte Irpino with the Sabato Valley and leads to Puglia and the Adriatic coast. The hill on which the Castle of Avella rises has also been the scene of further and important archaeological finds: in fact, among its ruins, the famous Cippus Abellanus dating back to about 150 BC was found. It's currently preserved at the Episcopal Seminary of Nola. It's an inscription in Oscan language, bearing the agreement between Abella and Nola and concerning the land in the middle of which there was a municipality Temple of Heracles.

The fortress of the Castle, which takes up the top of the hill, is dominated by the monumental cylindrical tower, typical of Angevin architecture, and by the two imposing structures of the donjon, a particular type of defensive tower. At the base of the fortress, two walls surround the slopes of the hill. Inside this area, there are many remains of rooms belonging to housing structures; among these, the only building preserved on the top is a large rectangular cistern.

The Castle of Avella, a fairytale destination set amidst untouched nature, is the emblem of the medieval past of this town in Lower Irpinia.

References:

sistemairpinia.provincia.avellino.it

User Reviews

Melissa Naja (2 years ago)
The Norman Castle is a Norman Lombard characteristics locate 320 meters above sea level on a hill located Northwest of town. I really enjoyed view of the Valley and also the Gulf of Naples. The castle was abandoned in 1371 and restored in 1533 by Pietro Spinelli. Until the early 1700s they used the castle as a prison after it was abandoned and remodeled by the local population who used it as a source of materials for the construction of their homes. In the beginning of the 90s the institutions and the cultural heritage decided to recover the castle, fixed the walls of the outer walls and some rooms in the tower. I went to this castle years ago. It was such a nice experience walking up to the hill and got a fresh breeze. I can stay in a historical place like this all day.

Soha Noseir (2 years ago)
A little hidden place on the top of Avella! It is very quiet and charming hisi castel! It great for outdoors sport as hiking around ! With enough sun you can catch remarkable landscape!

Stiller Schoolhouse (5 years ago)
Quiet castle to explore with wild flowers in the spring. Great for picnics and family friendly.

SAJEEV VINCENT (6 years ago)
Amazing experience..

Philip Ibbitson (7 years ago)
Amazing views, friendly and informative guides

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

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These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Avella Castle

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