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 (10 months 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 (12 months 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 (12 months 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 (2 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 (2 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 Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Tramontano Castle

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