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Serralunga d'Alba Castle is a castle located in Piedmont, Italy. Originally, in the 12th century, the site was occupied by a watchtower belonging to the local lords, descendants of Bonifacio del Vasto. After the fief passed to Manfredo of Saluzzo in 1190, the Falletti family of Barolo acquired it in and decided to demolish the pre-existing tower in 1340 to build the current castle under Pietrino and his son Goffredo II. Unlike many other fortresses, the building underwent very few modifications over the centuries, preserving its original medieval structure.
Purchased by the state in 1949, the castle underwent major restoration work to ensure its preservation. Since 2015, it has been managed by the Regional Directorate of Museums of Piedmont, which oversees its promotion and public access.
The castle is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a 14th-century noble castle in Piedmont. It stands in a commanding hilltop position overlooking the village of Serralunga d'Alba and the vineyards of the Langhe.
A unique example of a French-style donjon in Italy, the castle consists of several architecturally significant parts. The Palacium, an imposing elongated structure with large overlapping halls, is flanked by a cylindrical tower, a square tower, and a chapel decorated with 15th-century frescoes depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
References: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.