Melito Irpino Castle

The castle of Melito Irpino already existed at the time of the Norman conquest; its rhomboid plan with round corner towers suggests a Lombard origin. Built directly on the rock, on a hill above the Ufita valley, it was defended by a moat, walls and a barbican, an area still called Varvacale in dialect. It was rebuilt in the Aragonese period.After the 1962 earthquake the old village was abandoned and the oldest part of the castle was demolished for safety; after 1980 the village was razed to the ground, leaving only the castle and the church of Sant'Egidio standing. Today it is an imposing ruin, fragile but evocative. We suggest admiring it respectfully, from a safe distance.