Pietramelara: architecture and identity of a Campania village

• Felicia Di Girolamo ^[1]
  1. [1] Second University of Naples

     Second University of Naples

     Caserta, Italia

     
• Localización: FORTMED 2026. Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean Vol XXIII / Michele Russo (ed. lit.), Marta Acierno (ed. lit.), 2026, ISBN 978-84-1396-412-6, págs. 35-42
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto Completo Libro
• Resumen

  • The medieval village of Pietramelara, located on the slopes of Monte Maggiore in the province of Caserta, is an emblematic example of a fortified settlement with a concentric layout, built around an imposing Norman tower. Built at the highest point of the village, the square tower (9x9 m) rises 15 metres and still serves as the focal point of the urban fabric. Built with square stone blocks and reinforced at the corners with shaped blocks, its construction technique is reminiscent of other contemporary structures in central and southern Italy. The medieval village of Pietramelara, located on the slopes of Monte Maggiore in the province of Caserta, is an emblematic example of a fortified settlement with a concentric layout, built around an imposing Norman tower. Built at the highest point of the village, the square tower (9x9 m) rises 15 metres and still serves as the focal point of the urban fabric. Built with square stone blocks and reinforced at the corners with shaped blocks, its construction technique is reminiscent of other contemporary structures in central and southern Italy. The radiocentric layout of the village, with narrow streets arranged in a ring around the tower, bears witness to the clear spatial and social hierarchy of the settlement. The original norman layout is integrated with subsequent extensions from the angevin and aragonese periods (14th-15th centuries), which can still be seen today in the form of towers incorporated into new buildings, piperno arches and surviving sections of the city walls. Although partially compromised, these elements constitute a significant historical and architectural stratification that documents the defensive evolution of the site. The history of Pietramelara is intertwined with that of the Kingdom of Naples, as demonstrated by the siege of 1496, when aragonese troops penetrated the walls at the “Muro Scassato” (Broken Wall), destroying the Monforte residence. Today, despite its poor state of preservation, the village retains an identity strongly anchored to its original layout, offering a relevant case study for the enhancement and protection of built heritage in marginal contexts.