Ruderi del Castello di Monteforte Irpino

The ruins of the Castle of Monteforte Irpino are situated on the hill of San Martino, close to the church of the same name.

Theories abound as to how this hill fort was built. What is known for certain is that in 1231 Frederick II issued a “Statutus da reparacione castrorum” ordering the rebuilding of several strategic fortresses, including the Castle of Monteforte Irpino. The repairs were completed by Charles I during the Angevin period, when the Castle was adapted to serve as a summer residence. The monarch resided there together with his court between 1271 and 1273 and again in 1278. The king also gave ownership of the Castle to the Princes of Montfort. However, the dynasty lost ownership of the Castle when on 25 May 1270 the feudal lord Guy de Montfort killed Henry of Cornwall, son of King Richard of England, in the Church of Jesus in Viterbo. After being found guilty of the crime, de Montfort was stripped of his lands. During the 15th century the Castle lost its function and importance, and fell into neglect and disrepair.

The building’s original structure was formed of an outer curtain wall which served as defences, characterised by one main tower and another three smaller ones. The Castle is now in ruins, but part of the concentric walls that surrounded the central structures still remain, along with a circular tower and a fireplace.

Although it has lost its ancient splendour, the Castle is still a place of great historical interest for the local community, as the mediaeval village that gave rise to the existing modern-day town was built around the fortress.