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 (15 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 (17 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 (17 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 Staffan O Andersson

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Before the arrival of Christianity in Sweden, Gamla Uppsala was the seat of Swedish kings and a ceremonial site known all over northern Europe. The settlement was home to royal palaces, a royal burial ground, and a great pagan temple. The Uppsala temple, which was described in detail by Adam of Bremen in the 1070s, housed wooden statues of the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr. A golden chain hung across its gables and the inside was richly decorated with gold. The temple had priests, who sacrificed to the gods according to the needs of the people.

The first Christian cathedral was probably built in the 11th century, but finished in the 12th century. The stone building may have been preceded by a wooden church and probably by the large pagan temple.

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