Montefusco Castle

The castle of Montefusco was built by the Lombards as part of the defensive belt on the roads to Benevento. It hosted Norman, Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese rulers: Frederick II and Manfred stayed here at length and, according to tradition, Manfred prepared his army here before the Battle of Benevento in 1266. Until the 19th century it was the seat of government of the Principato Ultra.Today the building houses the town hall, and Lombard walls can be glimpsed here and there. In the vaults, carved into the rock, was a prison with a very harsh regime, nicknamed the "Spielberg of Irpinia", where patriots such as Poerio and Castromediano were held. We suggest completing the walk with the nearby Torre Riola, overlooking the Calore valley.