The ancient Mercogliano Castle, overlooking the town, had the main purpose of defending and preventing passage on the western side, to reach Mugnano and Quadrelle. Its structure, with an irregular plan, has a wall and a patrol path that overlooks the village below. Built in the second half of the 11th century, commissioned by a Lombard nobleman, the Castle was the scene of numerous battles during the period of Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese domination. The Manor was destroyed by the terrible ear read more
The ancient Mercogliano Castle, overlooking the town, had the main purpose of defending and preventing passage on the western side, to reach Mugnano and Quadrelle. Its structure, with an irregular plan, has a wall and a patrol path that overlooks the village below. Built in the second half of the 11th century, commissioned by a Lombard nobleman, the Castle was the scene of numerous battles during the period of Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese domination. The Manor was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1140. Subsequently, a terrible fire in 1656 and the earthquake of 1732 caused serious damage to the architectural complex. In the second half of the 18th century, the Castle was demolished to obtain material for the construction of new private buildings. The definitive destruction of the ancient fortress, no longer suitable for the protection of the village, occurred at the hands of French troops in 1799, after the inhabitants of Mercogliano, who had taken refuge in vain within the walls of the keep, were barbarously shot. Currently, of that imposing complex it is possible to admire only the ruins, consisting of a tower and parts of the walls, recently restored by the Superintendency and which have brought to light one of the five gates of the walls that once surrounded the village.
Critical/significant aspects - A place that is little valued and little publicized. read less
