Castello dell'Ettore, Medieval castle and art museum in Apice Vecchia, Italy.
Castello dell'Ettore is a castle with museums in Apice Vecchia that preserves two octagonal towers from the eighth century, rising above the valleys of the rivers Calore, Ufita, Miscano, and San Andrea. The restored structure now serves as an event venue and houses multiple exhibitions.
The castle was built in the eighth century as a military fortress and was equipped with underground tunnels and dungeons that provided escape routes during medieval sieges. Emperor Frederick II of Swabia visited the site during his reign.
The castle houses two museums that reveal how people lived here across centuries: one focuses on contemporary art, while the other displays objects from the daily lives of farmers and craftspeople. These collections grew from discoveries made during the castle's restoration work.
The castle is located about 15 kilometers from Benevento and is reached by roads that wind through the surrounding hilly terrain. The building offers modern accessibility features including an elevator and is prepared as an event venue.
The castle sits in Apice Vecchia, a town that was completely abandoned after the 1962 earthquake and has since resembled an Italian version of Pompeii. The ruins surrounding it and the silent valley create an unusual setting that few places offer.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
