Giancarlo Tramontano was assassinated on his way home from a Christmas Eve mass in 1514 due to heavy taxation imposed on the citizens of Matera.
The castle was never fully completed; the planned defensive walls and additional structures were abandoned after the Count's death.
Archaeological digs beneath the castle grounds have revealed pottery fragments dating back to the Neolithic period.
The strategic location on the hill of Lapillo was chosen by the Count to monitor the city from above, which contributed to his unpopularity.
The castle is built using local calcarenite stone, commonly referred to as tufo, consistent with the architecture of the Sassi di Matera.
Castello Tramontano is an unfinished 16th-century fortress commissioned by Giancarlo Tramontano, the Count of Matera. Construction began in 1501 but ceased abruptly following the Count's assassination by the local population in 1514. The structure features a central keep flanked by two circular towers, built to exert control over the citizenry. It occupies a prominent position on the hill of Lapillo, overlooking the city of Matera. The exterior displays characteristic Aragonese-style fortifications with rounded defensive towers. Archaeological excavations within the site have uncovered evidence of older settlements and ancient cisterns. Today, the castle serves as a public space and an occasional venue for cultural events.
The elevated path on the hill's perimeter provides a panoramic frame of the castle towers against the backdrop of the city below.
Wear sturdy walking shoes as the area around the castle involves uneven rocky paths and steep inclines.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little natural shade on the hill surrounding the fortress.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Sassi districts for a complete historical perspective.
Attempting to climb the exterior walls or venturing into restricted fenced-off archaeological zones within the park.
The park area is typically open year-round, though internal access to the castle structures is often restricted to guided tours or specific event days.
