Macchiaroli Castle, located in the museum town of Teggiano in the heart of Vallo di Diano in the province of Salerno, was built in the Norman era and is one of the most important castles in southern Italy. It belonged to the Princes of Sanseverino and was the site of important historical events such as the ‘Conspiracy of the Barons’ in 1485. Over the course of the centuries, the Castle has transitioned from a formidable war-torn fortress to a peaceful feudal residence, passing through various ownerships until it was acquired by the Macchiaroli family in 1860, who still own it today.

Today, after major restoration work that has made it possible to restore its ancient walkways and the grandeur of its towers, Castello Macchiaroli has been appointed with elegant and refined furnishings and decorations, making it an ideal setting for wedding parties and celebrations. Moreover, thanks to its spacious outdoor areas including the ancient moat, defensive curtain wall and towers, as well as its indoor halls, it is a perfect venue for concerts, theatrical performances, conventions, conferences and cultural events, creating an atmosphere that revives the magic of times gone by and guarantees unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

Easily accessible from Naples and Basilicata, and close to the Cilento and Amalfi coasts, this historical residence is just a short distance from significant sites of historical and cultural interest such as the Certosa di Padula (the Charterhouse of Padula), Grotte di Pertosa (the Pertosa Caves), Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte (the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte) and the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Parks.

THE HISTORY OF CASTELLO MACCHIAROLI

The oldest records on Macchiaroli Castle in Teggiano, known as Diano until 1862, are contained in a privilege dated 27 May 1405 and granted by King Ladislaus of Durazzo to the residents of Diano, who had undertaken the reconstruction of the castle with the construction of a large tower, in which he provided tax exemptions and a financial contribution from the other towns and hamlets of the Vallo di Diano. In that year, the fiefdom of Diano belonged to the Royal domain, having been confiscated from the Sanseverino counts of Marsico by Ladislaus as a punishment for supporting the Angevins of Provence.

Another important restoration of Macchiaroli Castle was carried out in 1487 by order of King Ferdinand I of Aragon, conducted by Florentine architect Giuliano da Sangallo. At that time, Diano belonged to the royal domain, having been confiscated from Prince Antonello Sanseverino, who had been declared a rebel for having led the “Conspiracy of the Barons” in 1485, which was planned within the walls of Diano Castle.

The 1487 works confirmed the Castle's strategic role in defending the surrounding territory. It boasted a fortified tower with a dome-shaped covered roof, crowned by five exposed and heavily scarped cylindrical turrets. These were connected by sturdy crenellated curtains, and in the central area there was a tetragonal building with various rooms that looked out onto a spacious courtyard that covered an entire cistern capable of providing the water supply necessary to withstand a prolonged siege. A deep, wide moat surrounded the fortress, on which two drawbridges could be lowered.

Due to its mighty defensive system, Antonello Sanseverino chose it as his last stronghold. In 1497, locked up in the castle, he withstood the siege of King Frederick of Aragon, who had come with his army to expel the Prince of Salerno from the fortress, who had again rebelled against him. For about two months, the fortress of Diano proved impregnable. It was only with the arrival of another military contingent under the command of Gonsalvo Fernandez de Cordoba, that Antonello surrendered, albeit under very honorable conditions. This event ended the bellicose period of the Castle of Diano.

The last scion of the Sanseverino family, restless Ferrante, was overwhelmed by the anti-baronial policy of the King’s deputy, Don Pietro of Toledo. He lost his fiefdoms, and his family line became extinct in 1552. With the succession of new feudal lords, Macchiaroli Castle changed its role from being a combative Sanseverino-esque fortress to a tranquil feudal residence, mostly inhabited by a Governor charged with looking after the baron's interests, presiding over the local town and supervising public order.

The restorations commissioned by Giovanni Villano, third Marquis of Polla and Lord of Diano, were aimed at recovering the residential area of Diano. From 1652, the Castle passed to the Calà family, Dukes of Diano, who held it until 1801, the year in which Donna Brigida Calà married Vincenzo Schipani and transferred the fiefdom, the title, and the Castle to him. With the abolition of the feudal system decreed in 1806, the Castle took on its new and definitive role as a private residence. In 1857, the north-western part was purchased by Teggiano native, Pasquale De Honestis, while the south-eastern part was acquired by the Macchiaroli family, also from Teggiano, who are the current owners of the castle today.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: ACCOMMODATION, WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS IN CAMPANIA

Castello Macchiaroli, an enchanted place to hold a fairy-tale reception that can accommodate up to 350 guests and is enveloped in an atmosphere of times gone by, is the perfect location to host any type of private event. With its fabulous architectural setting, its spacious halls furnished in an elegant and refined style, the outdoor spaces, the open-air theatre, its towers and internal courtyards, not forgetting the breath-taking panoramic views over the entire valley, visitors are guaranteed that the time they spend at the Castle will be truly unforgettable. Guests can savour the culinary proposals of our chefs, featuring dishes from traditional Italian and local gastronomy. In addition, it will be possible to stay overnight in the 'castle rooms', located in the oldest part of the building. Thanks to an agreement with the Municipality of Teggiano, Macchiaroli Castle is also the ideal venue to officiate civil weddings in the Stefano Macchiaroli Hall, which can seat up to one hundred and fifty people.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

The historic medieval town of Teggiano with its famous 13 churches, the Diocesan Museum and Lapidarium, the Herb Museum, the Museum of Popular Traditions, Certosa di Padula (the Charterhouse of Padula), Grotte di Pertosa (the Pertosa Caves), Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte (the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte), the abandoned medieval village of Roscigno Vecchia, Cilento National Park, the Valley of the Orchids nature trail, Sassano with its ancient pottery tradition.