Things to see · Castles and fortresses
Colobraro Castle
Colobraro (Matera)
Colobraro Castle is in Colobraro, province of Matera. Opening hours: Always visible; the restored area is freely accessible. Admission: Free.
- Free.
- Always visible; the restored area is freely accessible.
About this place
Il castle stands at the highest point of Colobraro, at about 650 metres, and offers one of the widest views in southern Basilicata: the Sinni valley, the Monte Cotugno lake, the Dolomiti Lucane and, on clear days, the Ionian Sea.
History
The castle was built in the 13th century and was the residence of the feudal lords who succeeded one another in Colobraro, including the Sanseverino and the Carafa families. For centuries only a few ruins remained; a recent restoration has made it accessible again.
What to see
• The remains of the walls and the restored terrace.
• The view over the Sinni valley, with free binoculars to observe the landscape and the birds of prey that fly over the valley.
How to get there
You climb on foot through the alleys of the historic centre; with a small car you can get almost to the top.
Useful information
• In summer the castle and the church of San Nicola are the stage for «Sogno di una notte a quel paese» (A Dream of a Night in That Village), the itinerant show in which residents humorously tell the “unlucky” reputation of Colobraro.
• In the village you can also visit the convent of Sant’Antonio, with rooms dedicated to magic and traditions.
