Monteserico Castle

Genzano di Lucania, Italy

Monteserico Castle is situated on a hill in a strategic position for controlling commercial traffic on the Appian Way that passed nearby. First documented in 1041, the year of a famous battle between the Byzantines and the Normans, it became a domus during the Swabian period and a royal farmstead under the Angevins. The Monteserico Castle communicated with the Garagnone Castle and the Gravina Castle (commissioned by Frederick II) through signal torches to alert of approaching enemies.

Destroyed in the early 1500s, it underwent restoration in several phases from the 18th to the 19th century and has recently been the subject of restoration efforts.

In 1989, the municipality of Genzano di Lucania acquired ownership of the building.

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

anto iannu (15 months ago)
Beautiful castle perched on a hill that is difficult to reach. The road is rough but it's worth it. The castle is well maintained, on two floors with a dungeon and a terrace that can be visited. the visit is free (with a free donation) I recommend contacting the caretaker for the opening hours.
Federico Arcangelo Marra (15 months ago)
despite an excellent restoration, the castle should offer more information and evidence of its history and the phases of restoration. The 360 degree view from the castle is remarkable spanning three regions.
Luc Ariano (18 months ago)
Not really a real Castle In my opinion but more of a small fortress! Definitely recently restored! Too bad you couldn't access it to visit it internally! But the road to reach it by motorbike is very suggestive and the panorama is also very beautiful! For those who decide to go by car, the road is very narrow, two cars do not cross each other!
Sara Donahue (20 months ago)
Mysterious castle on a windswept hill in the middle of nowhere. Interesting architecturally.
J Dunne (3 years ago)
Beautiful place, have a truck or all terrain vehicle as the road is very difficult. They were closed and I believe you need to make a reservation with the local municipality.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.