Castelpagano Castle

Castelpagano Castle has a quadrangular form of 150 metres of perimeter with a pentagonal tower and two circular towers. In the middle of the structure a well tank was used to collect rainwater.

The castle had been there since the beginning of the 11th century. Indeed, from the description of the borders of the abbey of San Giovanni de Lama drawn up to confirm the property by the Catapan Basil Bojannes, it is evident that Castelpagano bordered on the abbey. Later, Castelpagano can be found in 1095 with Guimondo as castellan on behalf of Henry, Count of the Gargano. In 1098 the Norman Richard succeeded Guimondo and assumed the role of castellan until 1106 when the Duke Roger Borsa defeated William I, the new Count of the Gargano and Lucera, who in 1101 succeeded Henry. Richard, William’s vassal, was substituted by Faruald, who got from the Duke the administration of Castelpagano, Monte Sant’Angelo, and Vieste.

In 1137, during the fight to control of the Duchy of Puglia between Roger II of Hauteville and Ranulf of Alife, the German Emperor Lothair II of Supplinburg (1060 – 1137), who came to Italy to support Ranulf, besieged Castelpagano, defended by the castellan Richard. At first, Castelpagano withstood the siege but, under the threat of razing the city and slaying its inhabitants, Richard surrendered to the attackers. Later, when Roger II reconquered the Duchy, Richard was arrested and blinded because of his surrender.

In the second half of the 12th century, Castelpagano became feud of two knights, administrated by Hugo filius Raynaldi filii Guillelmi, together with the hamlet of San Eleuterio, a village beneath Castelpagano and feud of three knights.According to iconographic sources, at the end of 15th century Castelpagano was in a state of abandonment.

References:

• Izi Travel

Address

Apricena, Italy

Details

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