Province of Matera.
Bernalda: The 1470 Castle appears a bit squat, but is typical of that epoch. It was erected by Bernardino de Bernardo, founder of the town. He was secretary of the Aragonese court and, with the construction of the fortified Castle, initiated the building of the town which bears his name. Some sources, however, claim that the Castle already existed during Norman times. The truncated cone base of one of the cylindrical towers leads us to believe that the construction was Angevin instead. In any case, adaptations and stratifications exist.

Ferrandina: Uggiano Castle, a Byzantine military fortification, dates to the beginning of the 9th century. Taken over and rebuilt by the Normans at the beginning of the 11th century, it was transformed into an elegant residence by Jacopus de Astiliano in the first half of the 14th century. An earthquake destroyed it in 1456.

Irsina: The old Montepeloso Castle (ancient name) was a Norman construction later altered by Frederick of Swabia in 1228. Today it appears much as it did in the 16th century when it became a Franciscan convent. The crypt was excavated from the foundation of one of the quadrilateral, castle towers in 1100.

Matera: Around the beginning of 1500, Tramontane Castle was built under the name of the feudal lord who was given the city by Ferdinand II. The building dominates the Bradano River Valley. You can see two cylindrical towers and in the middle an enormous, circular embattled tower. The form is quite unusual for the epoch and is due to the fact that the feudal lord initially tried to imitate the 'Maschio angioino' in Naples. He was unable to finish it in time because he was killed; most probably because, as owner of salt mines in Manfredonia and of a grain depository in Barletta, his presence overshadowed the other wealthy men in the area.

Miglionico: Called 'Malconsiglio' (ill-advice), it was here in 1481 that the barons plotted against the King of Naples, Ferdinand I of Aragon. It was also the fief of Hector Fieramosca. It was built by the Normans in the 11th century and their style is perceived in the squared, lateral towers. The cylindrical towers are from a later date. The interior appears altered and divided, but the fascination of this castle remains unchanged.

Nova Siri: High above the sea you can see the beautiful Bollita Tower, 1300.

San Mauro Forte: All that remains is the main Norman tower (altered in 1400) and the tower with its three-tiered corbels, one of the best-preserved in the region.

Scanzano Jonico: Small, but truly different, it preserves its antique centre gathered around the 'Palazzaccio', master's edifice, highly regarded by the inhabitants of the castle.

Tricarico: All that remains is the very high, cylindrical tower. It represents the typically defensive characteristic of the Angevin habitations.

Valsinni: We will conclude with the most poetic of the castles. Seen from a long distance away, today it has an Aragonese appearance and its most famous owner was the poetess Isabella Morra di Valsinni (1520-1545). However, we know that it already existed during the Middle Ages.