Description of the attraction
Castello Ducale di Bisaccia is a very old castle located in the small town of Bisaccia in the province of Avellino. It was built in the second half of the 8th century, when the Lombards invaded Campania and took over the Duchy of Benevento. The construction of the imposing castle was caused by the need to protect the surrounding lands - this is evidenced by its powerful walls and a 12-meter observation tower. Inside, the cobbled courtyard ends with a Renaissance loggia with a wonderful view. An old cistern for collecting water and the ruins of a small church have been preserved in the castle. Living rooms, of which there are 42, were located in the south wing.
In the 13th century, Bisaccia Castle became the hunting residence of Frederick II, Duke of Swabia, and a meeting place for members of the Sicilian poetry school founded by the Duke. And in the 16th century, the castle, which became popular because of its location and the beauty of the local landscapes, settled the Renaissance writer Giovanni Battista Manzo, who organized solemn banquets and luxurious evenings here. A frequent visitor to the castle was Manzo's friend, the famous poet Torquato Tasso, who hunted or indulged in entertainment. The 18th century was the century of the transformation of the building into the aristocratic residence of Duke Ascanio Pignatelli. The coat of arms of the Pignatelli family, who owned the castle until the beginning of the 19th century, can still be seen on the porton today. Unfortunately, natural disasters, primarily earthquakes, have damaged the centuries-old structure. Only recently has the Castello Ducale di Bisaccia been restored and turned into the Municipal Museum.
