Genzano di Lucania (Potenza)
Monteserico Castle
Monteserico Castle stands alone on a hill amid wheat fields, about ten kilometres east of the centre of Genzano di Lucania. It is one of the most evocative castles in Basilicata, especially at dawn and sunset.
- Opening hoursVariable: check before visiting
- AdmissionFree entry
- WhereStrada Provinciale 79, Genzano di Lucania (PZ)
What to see
- The outline of the castle on its hill, visible from afar in the open landscape of the Alto Bradano.
- The structures reworked between the 18th and 19th centuries, which have recently been restored.
- The view over the surrounding cereal-growing hills.
A little history
The castle is first recorded in 1041, the year of a famous battle between Byzantines and Normans. In the Swabian period it became a domus and under the Angevins a royal farm (masseria regia). It was destroyed in the early 16th century and then rebuilt in several phases between the 18th and 19th centuries.
How to get there
It can be reached by car from Genzano di Lucania along provincial road 79. The last stretch crosses open countryside: use a navigator and allow time for the return.
Useful information
The castle stands in open countryside and access to the interior may vary, so it is best to check before going. The map position is confirmed by OpenStreetMap and by the coordinates of photographs on Wikimedia Commons.
Also visit the Mother Church of Santa Maria della Platea. Discover more places in Genzano di Lucania.
