|
|
|
Bernalda Castle - Photo (c)
Emanuele Braico
|
Basilicata castles - Matera Province
Of the many feudal castles that existed in the region, only
isolated towers and ruins have survived:
Bernalda Castle: The 1470 Castle
appears a bit squat, but is typical of that epoch. It was erected by Bernardino
de Bernardo, founder of the town. He was secretary of the Aragonese court and,
with the construction of the fortified Castle, initiated the building of the
town which bears his name. Some sources, however, claim that the Castle already
existed during Norman times. The truncated cone base of one of the cylindrical
towers leads us to believe that the construction was Angevin instead. In any
case, adaptations and stratifications exist.
Ferrandina Castle: Uggiano Castle,
a Byzantine military fortification, dates to the beginning of the 9th century.
Taken over and rebuilt by the Normans at the beginning of the 11th century, it
was transformed into an elegant residence by Jacopus de Astiliano in the first
half of the 14th century. An earthquake destroyed it in 1456 and today it is in
ruins.
|
Irsina Castle: The old Montepeloso
Castle (ancient name) was a Norman construction later altered by Frederick of
Swabia in 1228. Today it appears much as it did in the 16th century when it
became a Franciscan convent. The crypt was excavated from the foundation of one
of the quadrilateral, castle towers in 1100.
Matera Castle: Around the
beginning of 1500, Tramontane Castle was built under the name of the feudal lord
who was given the city by Ferdinand II. The building dominates the Bradano River
Valley. You can see two cylindrical towers and in the middle an enormous,
circular embattled tower. The form is quite unusual for the epoch and is due to
the fact that the feudal lord initially tried to imitate the 'Maschio angioino'
in Naples. He was unable to finish it in time because he was killed; most
probably because, as owner of salt mines in Manfredonia and of a grain
depository in Barletta, his presence overshadowed the other wealthy men in the
area.
|
Miglionico Castle: Called 'Malconsiglio'
(ill-advice), it was here in 1481 that the barons plotted against the King of
Naples, Ferdinand I of Aragon. It was also the fief of Hector Fieramosca. It was
built by the Normans in the 11th century and their style is perceived in the
squared, lateral towers. The cylindrical towers are from a later date. The
interior appears altered and divided, but the fascination of this castle remains
unchanged.
Nova Siri Castle: High above the
sea you can see the beautiful Bollita Tower, 1300.
San Mauro Forte: All that
remains is the main Norman tower (altered in 1400) and the tower with its
three-tiered corbels, one of the best-preserved in the region.
Scanzano Jonico: Small, but
truly different, it preserves its antique center gathered around the 'Palazzaccio',
master's edifice, highly regarded by the inhabitants of the castle.
|
Miglionico Castle - Photo (c)
pingendiartifex
|
Tricarico Castle: All that remains is the very
high, cylindrical tower. It represents the typically defensive characteristic of
the Angevin habitations.
Valsinni Castle: We will conclude with the most
poetic of the castles. Seen from a long distance away, today it has an Aragonese
appearance and its most famous owner was the poetess Isabella Morra di Valsinni
(1520-1545). However, we know that it already existed during the Middle Ages.
Courtesy of the
Basilicata Official Tourist Board
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
TangoItalia - Food Wine Travel in Italy - Home
|
