Imperial Castle, Sant’Agata di Puglia

The history of the Castle of Sant’Agata, which largely reflects that of the town itself, is mainly linked to the nature of the location that hosts it, an excellent lookout and strategic point overlooking the Calaggio valley, the borders of Irpinia, Lucania, and Daunia, positioned right at the exit of the Campanian passes towards Puglia (boundaries of Lombard-Byzantine rule). 

The territory was crossed by an extensive Roman road network and had a significant monastic presence, as evidenced by monuments and remains. 

The Castle, Castrum or Rocca, was called Artemisium during the Roman period, perhaps because a pagan temple was located at the top of the mountain. 

With the advent of Christianity, and specifically when in 592 by the will of Pope Gregory the Great the relics of the Martyr St. Agatha were transferred from Catania to Rome, Artemisium was renamed S. Agata in honor of the Saint. The Rocca of Sant’Agata played a very important role in the Middle Ages as a provincial or military-administrative district, commanding a jurisdiction composed of a determined number of towns. 

During the Lombard domination, Sant’Agata was the last outpost of the Duchy of Benevento. 

Around the year 1000, it was ruled by Landulf and Pandulf, princes of Benevento.