Policastro Castle

Policastro Bussentino, Italy

The Old Town of Policastro is enclosed by medieval walls of Norman origin, dating from the time of King Roger I (11th century), and is dominated by a fortified castle. Policastro Bussentino also has other ancient monuments of great historical and artistic value.

The Castle of Policastro Bussentino stands out and was formerly a Byzantine fortress built in the 6th-7th century at the end of the Greek-Gothic War when Bussento passed under the dominion of the Byzantines, who built a fortress on the highest point of the hill.

In the 14th century the castle was enlarged and strengthened by Giacomo Sanseverino (1290-1364), as we can read on the marble inscription above the door to the east: Magnifico Domino Iacobus de Santo Sevirino, of 1309.

References:

italythisway.com

Address

Via Castello 40, Policastro Bussentino, Italy

See all sites in Policastro Bussentino

Details

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

More Information

www.italythisway.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Santa Maria Assunta Co-Cathedral (0,2 km)

Padula Charterhouse (30,9 km)
Cristo Redentore (19,7 km)
Velia (32,5 km)
Scalea Castle (36,9 km)
Macchiaroli Castle (33,7 km)
Caracciolo Castle (45,6 km)
Castrocucco Castle (25 km)
Grumentum (39,8 km)
San Gianuario Church (42,6 km)

User Reviews

Nicola Montesano (5 years ago)

Pasquale Bacco (5 years ago)
The area should be redeveloped. Currently it is only an unpaved parking lot. There are good potentials, they should be exploited not only for the town festival.

Alfonso Torre (5 years ago)
A nice and very welcoming place

Marco Pellegrino (5 years ago)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Bela Lindtner

Historic Site of the week

Gravensteen

The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.

In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.