Pietramaggiore, Medieval fortress and archaeological site in San Giorgio La Molara, Italy
Pietramaggiore is a medieval fortress and archaeological site positioned at 738 meters elevation in the Campanian Apennines. The ruins display remnants of ancient structures and fortification walls that span different periods of settlement.
During the Norman period, this stronghold served strategic military purposes and appears in the Chronicon Beneventanum recording conflicts between Count Rainulfo and King Roger II. This mention documents the settlement's importance in regional power struggles of the 11th century.
The site preserves traces of Roman land division methods and once held two churches dedicated to Saint Martin and Saint Nicholas until the early 1900s. These buildings served as spiritual centers for the community and reflect how faith shaped daily life in the settlement.
The archaeological area requires sturdy footwear because the terrain is uneven and paths can be rough underfoot. Visitors can reach the site using marked trails starting from San Giorgio La Molara village below.
An ancient bridge among the castle ruins was demolished in 1956 during filming of the movie 'Sangue di zingara'. This event illustrates how archaeological sites were sometimes altered for film productions without fully documenting the historical losses.
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