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Brienza - Castle

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It is not possible to visit this site because it is under repair.

The first documents referring to the Caracciolo Castle date back to the Angevin period.

Nevertheless, the date of foundation of this Manor House was earlier and, according to some scholars, could be around the IV century.

It was completely redone in 1571 and there are traces of the old Castle in the cylindrical structure that emerges from the solid bulk and in the circular turret, situated in the middle of the walls, in order to break the uniformity of this curtain wall and to assure a more effective defence.

The Caracciolo family made further enlargements and chose its peculiar shape, almost triangular, developed on three floors.

An open stone stair takes to an earthwork terrace, in front of the main entrance.

The Caracciolo family, in spite of several ups and downs, owned the fief and the Castle until 1857, when the last member of the family, Maria Giulia, left it to her nephew Luigi Barracco.