Tramontano Castle, Matera, Italy

Tramontano Castle, begun in the early 16th century by Gian Carlo Tramontano, Count of Matera, is probably the only other structure that is above ground of any great significance outside the sassi. However, the construction remained unfinished after his assassination in the popular riot of 29 December 1514.

It has three large towers, while twelve were probably included in the original design. During some restoration work in the main square of the town, workers came across what were believed to be the main footings of another castle tower. However, on further excavation large Roman cisterns were unearthed. Whole house structures were discovered where one can see how the people of that era lived.

Castles and fortifications in Italy

User Reviews

Jarrod Hunt (2 years ago)
Closed and disheveled. Not worth a visit, just to get a photo of tired fences and weeds taking over a once beautiful building

Brian Tuey (2 years ago)
Interesting to see up close since it’s even more massive but it was closed. Matera’s Count Gian Carlo Tramontano built this castle on the backs of the local Matera people by taxing them heavily so a few of the people ambushed and killed him in 1514 before he could complete it. Now lottery funds are used to restore it.

Christine Lillywhite (2 years ago)
Not accessible. Can only walk around it and some Nast plastic tape has been put up as a gesture to prevent access to the moat.

Joe Mochan (3 years ago)
Currently closed. Chain fences are knocked down on the outside at either end so you can walk around the moat and back up the other end. It's a fairly small site so only takes a few minutes to walk around. Impressive thick walls at the base, in good condition on the outside but not much to look at. Looks like it has some impressive views over the valley.

Přemysl Randák (3 years ago)
Closed castle and surrounding area too, place with a massive potential due to the view on different area of the town

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

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Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Tramontano Castle

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