Castello Tramontano: An Unfinished Aragonese Fortification in Matera
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4
- Popularity
- Medium
- Country
- Italy
- Primary era
- Early Modern
- Eras represented
- Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Kingdom of Naples
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page11 sections
History
Castello Tramontano is an unfinished Aragonese-style fortification in Matera, Italy, whose present construction began in 1501 under Giovan Carlo Tramontano, Count and feudal lord of Matera. It stands on Lapillo Hill above the historic center, outside the city walls, and was intended mainly to control the surrounding lands and population rather than to defend the city itself.
From Norman residence to new fortification
The site began as a Norman residence on the outskirts of the Civita. Its first arrangement consisted of eight square defensive towers linked by a bridge. Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo, lord of the Principality of Taranto and other territories that included the County of Matera, later dismantled these structures while developing a more up-to-date fortification. Part of the castle area was sold to make room for round bastions.
In 1496, Giovan Carlo Tramontano obtained the County of Matera after claiming debts owed to him by the royal treasury. His appointment conflicted with a promise made by Ferdinand II, king of Naples, that Matera would no longer be granted to a feudal lord. The city had repeatedly paid ransoms to preserve its status as a free community directly subject to the Crown.
Construction and revolt
Tramontano began building the present castle in 1501. His heavy debts led him to impose burdensome taxes on the inhabitants, while more than 25,000 ducats were spent on the construction. The cost placed an additional financial burden on Matera’s population and helped intensify opposition to his rule.
Citizens eventually organized Tramontano’s assassination. They met in hiding behind a stone later associated with the “stone of bad advice.” On 29 December 1514, the count was killed in a side street after leaving the cathedral. The street was subsequently called Via del Riscatto, or “Street of Ransom.” The castle remained unfinished after his death.
Modern restoration
Restoration of the castle and its surrounding park began in 2008. The work has included, or aimed to include, recovery of the moat and restoration of its tufa walls. Tufa is the soft, porous limestone or calcarenite traditionally used in Matera’s masonry and excavated spaces.
Remains
The surviving castle occupies Lapillo Hill at approximately 415 metres above sea level, overlooking Matera’s historic center. Its principal arrangement is an Aragonese-style fortification with a central keep and two lower lateral towers. The three main towers are round, crenellated, and pierced by loopholes, narrow openings through which weapons could be used.
Principal fortification
Central keep
The central keep forms the principal fortified tower of the castle. It belongs to the present three-tower arrangement, whose rounded, crenellated form and defensive openings reflect Aragonese fortification architecture in southern Italy.
Lateral towers and bridge
Two lower round towers flank the keep. They were formerly connected by a bridge, but the bridge has been destroyed, and its loss resulted in alterations to the towers. Their crenellations and loopholes remain part of the castle’s defensive design.
Moat and underground spaces
A moat surrounds the fortification, with tufa walls targeted by the restoration works begun in 2008. The planned expansion of the complex apparently included additional defensive towers. Foundations of one such tower, together with other underground spaces, were later found beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Uncompleted defensive works
Planned covered passage
A covered defensive passage was planned between Castello Tramontano and Castiglione Normanno. It was never built, leaving this part of the intended defensive system unrealized.
