Caracciolo Castle

Caracciolo Castle is a medieval fortress perched on a steep hill north of Brienza, Campania, surrounded by two rivers that provided natural protection. The structure spreads across multiple levels with defensive walls, towers, and courtyards that follow the terrain and serve different functions.

The fortress was developed in the 1200s under Emperor Frederick II, with nobleman Gentile da Petruno placed in charge of its governance. Archaeological evidence suggests that an earlier fortification had already stood on this location during the early medieval period under Lombard rule.

The castle served for centuries as a center of power and defense for the surrounding community. The rooms and walls today speak to how daily life revolved around this stronghold and how it shaped the identity of those living below.

Access to the castle is gained through footpaths that climb the hill and can be slippery depending on weather conditions. Guided tours lead visitors through the different levels and explain the layout and construction, with the best views of the surrounding landscape from the upper sections.

The castle is known for an embedded network of underground passages that run between the different chambers and levels within the walls. These hidden routes once allowed residents to move unseen through the fortress or escape during times of danger.