Before the 1980 earthquake, it developed around a trapezoidal courtyard with three semicircular arches from which the rooms on the first level were accessed; the typological layout was the result of the numerous and frequent transformations that took place over time on the ancient residence of the Caracciolo del Sole, then the Imperiale family: a loggia, a staircase with a carved balustrade, and the stables dating back to the 16th century were recognizable.
A plaque placed to the left of the entrance portal, destroyed by the collapse of the central part of the southern side of the castle, commemorated the 18th-century enlargement and transformation works. From 1862 the fortress was used as a prison and courthouse, a function it retained until the 1980 earthquake, when the upper floor, the building body on the east side, and part of the southern side collapsed. Between 1987 and 1992, targeted works were carried out to ensure the safety and conservation of the site as well as the thorough and complete knowledge of the entire structural organism and pre-existing elements of historical-artistic, architectural, and archaeological interest.
In particular, archaeological investigations directed by Marcello Rotili revealed, in the immediate vicinity of the donjon – the large tower equipped for defense built at the highest point of the hill (altitude 888m above sea level) – the structures of the ancient cathedral of Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi (11th century) completely incorporated into the southwest wing of the castle, almost entirely collapsed, and other elements present beneath the courtyard’s walking surface.
During the dismantling of part of the west façade of the castle, two portals and the back wall of the church were subsequently discovered. Concurrently with the excavations, restoration work was carried out on the stables building, the tower, and the loggia, which recent studies suggest be read as the residual testimony of an ancient seat.
Following the phase of works just described, after a break of several years due to lack of funds, a further significant restoration intervention followed that completed the structural recovery of the tower, the stables, and the Romanesque church.
Then, technological systems and exterior and interior finishes were installed, as well as interventions necessary to prevent and halt deterioration and to create suitable visit routes to the restored buildings and the external layouts. The stratigraphic investigation yielded, in terms of material culture remains, a significant quantity of finds, especially ceramics, as well as objects in metal, glass, bone, stone, terracotta, bricks, tiles, coins, plasters, and anthropic remains. Source: MIBACT
Information about the Museum of the Works of the Castle Area
Via Castello snc, 83054 Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi (Avellino) 0827 23094 urbanistica@comune.santangelodeilombardi.av.it
https://www.comune.santangelodeilombardi.av.it
