Ruins of the Norman Castle

The castle of Pisticci, dating from the Norman period, stands on the highest part of the town, at a height of about 394 meters. Its structure consisted of several floors and had several architectural features.The tower, about 14 meters high, was one of the main elements of the castle. On the left side, a staircase led to the tower, which was divided into two rooms. A staircase leaning against the main facade provided access to the inner rooms and the tower terrace. In the atrium, other doors led to the rooms on the second floor.The uncovered area between the atrium and the cellar was used as an orchard, garden, and vineyard, but at present these areas have been fragmented and belong to different families and the Orphanage. Opposite the main entrance stood another rectangular building. Under the tower, a cistern originally used to collect rainwater was later converted into a grinding room for an oil mill.After the revolution of 1806 and the death of Don Ferdinando De Cardenas, the property was sold at auction and only a few fragments of land remained with the count's heirs.The castle was then bought or occupied by the Rogges family, but was later abandoned and reduced to ruins. In the 1920s-21, the lands were acquired by surveyor Vito Rocco Panetta, who converted part of the castle into an apartment. However, in the 1930s, the apartment along with the central part of the castle were demolished to make way for the Lucano Aqueduct reservoir.Today, all that remains of the castle is the tower, the former stable spaces and some rooms, which testify to its former grandeur and history.