Castello di Mercato San Severino, Medieval castle in Mercato San Severino, Italy
Castello di Mercato San Severino is a medieval fortress built on a hilltop in a town of the same name in southern Italy. It features three concentric defensive walls that descend the slope, with towers that retain their original battlements from the 11th century.
The fortress was founded in 1067 by Turgisio Sanseverino and became the main stronghold of the Sanseverino family controlling major trade routes across southern Italy. Its construction marked the beginning of a period when this family shaped the region's political and economic landscape.
The fortress shows traces of how people lived in its confined spaces during medieval times, with daily routines shaped by its hilltop location. The position overlooking the valley made this place not just a military stronghold but also a center where families, soldiers, and workers shared the same stone structure.
The complex is situated on a hillside and can be explored on foot to view all areas without requiring any special equipment. Wear sturdy footwear since uneven ground and slopes make walking more challenging in places.
Before the castle was built here, this location was already known as Rotaticum, a Roman toll station on the important Capua-Regium consular road. The history of this place as a control point spans many centuries, from the Roman period through the Middle Ages.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
