Conversano Castle: A Historic Norman Fortress in Italy

Visitor Information

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Country: Italy

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Conversano Castle stands in the town of Conversano in Italy, originally constructed by the Normans during the 11th century. The fortress was erected on the remains of an earlier defensive structure that dates back to the Gothic War (535–554), incorporating elements of the ancient city of Norba’s megalithic walls.

During the Middle Ages, the castle served as the domicile of the Counts of Conversano for nearly 700 years. Throughout this extensive period, it experienced numerous expansions and alterations. In the 14th century, the Counts of Luxembourg undertook significant modifications, shaping the fortress’s development. Later, the Acquaviva family further transformed the castle in the 15th and 17th centuries, imprinting their own architectural and residential preferences on the structure.

Originally designed as a stronghold for military defense, the castle gradually evolved into a refined noble residence. This transition is evident in the architectural adaptations of the 18th century, most notably the grand entrance portal and internal courtyard completed in 1710 under the direction of Countess Dorotea Acquaviva, which introduced Renaissance and Baroque stylistic elements.

The castle also played a role in regional military conflicts. A significant episode occurred during the leadership of Count Andrea Matteo Acquaviva (1481–1511), when it was seized in 1503 after a siege by Spanish forces commanded by General Gonzalve de Cordova.

Archaeological discoveries have shed light on the castle’s layered history, revealing early Norman features including the main tower known as the Torre Maestra and frescoes of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Today, the castle functions partly as a municipality-managed art gallery, while some sections remain under private ownership.

Remains

Conversano Castle is laid out in a trapezoidal shape, combining various defensive towers of distinct forms and periods. The most ancient core dates back to the Norman era of the 11th and 12th centuries and includes three large square towers. Among these, the Torre Maestra is the tallest, rising about 25 meters. It stands firmly on foundations built from massive megalithic stones that belonged to the older city walls of Norba. At the original entry vault of this tower, a fresco depicting Saints Cosmas and Damian remains preserved, exemplifying the castle’s religious artistic traditions.

The northern corner of the fortress was reinforced during the first half of the 15th century with the construction of a large cylindrical tower, which replaced a former square tower. This multi-level tower features a parapet supported by corbels, which were altered to accommodate cannon placements, reflecting the evolution of artillery warfare at the time. At its summit, the combined coat of arms of the Acquaviva and Orsini families serves as a visible emblem of the castle’s ruling lineages.

Around 1460, the Acquaviva family built a distinctive polygonal tower with twelve sides. This tower was designed to enhance resistance to artillery attacks, featuring sloped lower walls known as a scarpa and embankment-type construction techniques. It also includes narrow openings for cannon fire and a round internal tank with a corridor encircling it, equipped with drainage systems, likely serving both defensive and water storage purposes.

Access to the castle occurs through an entrance on Piazza Conciliazione, which boasts a monumental late Baroque portal erected in 1710. This doorway leads into a courtyard that is bordered on two sides by porticoes and open loggias, lending an elegant residential atmosphere to the once strictly military stronghold. Inside, some rooms preserve furnishings dating to the 16th and 17th centuries, including a bridal chamber adorned with scenes from the Old Testament painted by Paolo Domenico Finoglio.

A notable feature within the oldest main tower is the castle’s well, which has been linked to a local legend involving a character known as the “Guercio.” From this vantage point at the tower’s peak, panoramic views encompass the surrounding landscape.

Currently, parts of the castle serve as a municipal art gallery, housing an important collection of paintings commissioned by Giangirolamo II Acquaviva d’Aragona in the mid-17th century. This series of works, painted by Finoglio, depicts episodes from the Italian epic poem “Jerusalem Delivered,” underscoring the cultural as well as historical significance of the castle’s interior.