Of the many feudal castles that existed in the region, only
isolated towers and ruins have survived:
Avigliano-Lagopesole
While Melfi Castle is the most famous, Lagopesole Castle remains the most magical.
You can still feel the spirit of the great Swabian Emperor Frederick II. It
is supposed to be the last of the castles he had constructed for his own
use, built between 1242 and 1250, the year of his death.
When traveling
from Potenza towards Vulture, it appears and disappears from sight. Situated
high and solitary on its clearing, it is splendid when illuminated by
sunlight.
The Lagopesole Castle's rectangular design deviates from the
classic, hexagonal design adopted during the period of Frederick II. The Lagopesole
Castle
is divided in two parts: the area surrounding the courtyard of honor
and the area devoted primarily to military defense, with the main tower
at its center.
Its position along the road to Apulia made it a
convenient stopover for hunting, one of the King's great passions. The Lagopesole
Castle was a temporary
museum for the archaeological finds recovered during the 1980 earthquake
and for more than one year housed paintings and other art, making it an
essential testimony to the soul and history of Lucania.
Genzano di Lucania
In the
town it is possible to see the 17th century Castle, originally an Angevin
establishment and today the town hall. In the environs is Monteserico Castle
(542m) where the Byzantines were defeated by the Normans in 1041. It was
expanded by the Swabians and it is still possible to notice the barrel vault.
The subterranean caves were the first dwellings of the Lucanian monks.
Brienza
The area of Brienza is
dominated by the imposing ruins of the Angevin Castle, rebuilt in 1571. In
addition to its cylindrical main tower, there is a circular semi-tower in the
middle of the walled curtain, which functioned as a defence. It appears quite
ruined since the earthquake.
Melfi
The Melfi Castle is
without doubt the most famous in the region. Erected by the Normans, it was
later refurbished by the Swabians and Angevins. It was here, in 1231, that
Frederick II installed the 'Augustales' Constitutions of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Angevin changes are characterized by the external
courtyard with squared and
polygonal towers, works by Richard of Foggia. Today you can note the absence of
the cylindrical towers and the irregular, quadrilateral shape caused by the
morphology of the land.
In the 16th century, it passed into the hands of
the Dorians who transformed its central structure. The Angevin stables, livery and
mortuary lead to the Throne Room and to the underlying Soldier's Room. Today it
houses the Melfi National Museum.
This castle came into the hands of the
Italian state after the great earthquake of 1930, and has been restored to
contain the National Museum of the Melfi Region (Museo nazionale del Melfese).
Lavello
The Lavello Castle was initially built
during the Swabian epoch (rebuilt in 1600). Today, it is the town hall and
includes a small civic Antiquarium.
In addition to
the remains of the Castle, it is also possible to see the main tower within the
walls, which dates from the late Longobard epoch. The other two towers were
perhaps constructed at a later date.
Muro Lucano (Lucanian Wall)
Unfortunately, all that remains after the earthquake are ruins.
Oppido Lucano(Fortified Lucanian City)
Also here, the substantial remains of the Castle are very well
inserted amidst an intricate maze of narrow lanes and alleyways.
Palazzo San Gervasio (San Gervasio Palace)
Its name derives from the hunting domain of Frederick II. The
Castle was renovated, but its style is still characterized by two square
turrets, four mullioned windows and a three-column loggia. A small building for
the stables from the same period can be seen along the side.
Pietragalla
The Ducal
Palace of Acquaviva is noteworthy. It dates from 1400 and was restored in 1700.
Senise
The Castle dates
from the 13th century, as is endorsed by the presence of the towers and merlons.
It was restored in 1400.
Venosa
The very imposing
Aragon Castle that welcomes to the city stands watch over a square of
particularly interesting urbanistic design. In optimum condition, the Castle was
erected in 1470 by Pirro del Balzo who conserved the defensive characteristics
of the Angevin period. It is very similar to Castelnuovo or 'Maschio angioino' (Angevin
keep) in Naples. The prisons were located in the towers, where you can still see
inscriptions on the walls. Surrounded by a moat, there is also a long entrance
bridge.
Lagopesole Castle - Photo ©
www.brucomeladesign.it 
Melfi Castle - Photo ©
antmoose