Palazzo Ducale Pignatelli della Leonessa

The Pignatelli Della Leonessa Ducal Palace is located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in San Martino Valle Caudina.

The building was probably constructed around the 17th century with a very different layout to the current one, as demonstrated by some documents contained in land records from 1711; in particular, the Ducal Palace was described as a long body in line with the public road, equipped with a high tower with an almost square base. The subsequent demolition and reconstruction works that resulted in the structure's current configuration were carried out in the 19th century, when the building became the residence of the Pignatelli Della Leonessa family, according to the custom of the time to move further downstream.

The Ducal Palace's current configuration is characterised by a simple, severe façade facing onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele, combined with accentuated planimetric variety. The main entry, surmounted by the family coat of arms, leads through a long entrance hall to the charming courtyard garden with a central fishpond, embellished with rare ornamental plants. On the left, a large staircase, preceded by a portico with two aisles, leads to the main floor of the residence. Worth mentioning is the stone plaque preserved in the portico, which indicates the duties the family received for the maintenance and surveillance of the nearby Via Appia, easy prey for brigand raids over the centuries.

Having recently undergone restoration, the Pignatelli Della Leonessa Ducal Palace is enhanced by its new intended use: its halls, furnished with period furniture, are used for receptions and conferences, with particularly attentive service.