A forgotten fortress in Maiori's hills

A 9th-century structure overlooks the towns of Arcola and Carpineto, on the Thoro-plano hill in Maiori, Italy. Originally, it was not a manor intended for residence, but a rocky outcropping used as a refuge and fortress against frequent raids. The earliest records of the settlement date back to the assassination of the prince of Benevento Sicardo by the Amalfitans, around the middle of the 9th century. The settlement was built around an ancient church dedicated to San Nicola, giving the structure its name – Castello di San Nicola de Thoro-Plano.

The castle was used as a communication route by the Republic of Amalfi, and underwent a major renovation around 1465, when the Piccolomini family took possession of the land along the Reginna and expanded the castle, strengthening the walls with various turrets. In 1593, the collegiata (collegiate church) of San Nicola was suppressed and the religious complex was incorporated into the castle, which was used until the beginning of the 19th century, first for military purposes, then as a manor by the local inhabitants to store their harvests.

Today, the structure retains its 1465 shape, resembling a polygon developing for 550 meters. The walls are equipped with loopholes and counterforts, interspersed with nine towers. Currently, the structure hosts a small museum where ancient local crafts are preserved, many of which were found in the castle area.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons