From the website www.velino.it/cultura/castelli/: “Cittareale is the last foundation made by the Angevins along the North border of Naples kingdom between the 12th and 13th centuries, who, in 1329, also reorganized the inhabited territory of Falacrine hollow, old roman “vicus” along the old Salaria street, where the emperor Vespasian was born. The town, whose foundation is normally awarded to King Manfredi in 1261 instead of Robert d’Angiò, was built quite far from the street, to clash more efficiently the extension of Cascia and Norcia Commons, and was towered by the powerful fort. A quadrangular fortress with its corners reinforced by big cone-shaped bastions, while the inner core was covered with quite regular walls made of local sandstone parallelepipeds. In the insides we find two staircases, one in the north wing, the other in the east wing, with wonderful vaults and perforations. The popular fantasy has told stories about the loopholes disposition, looking at a mysterious direction towards the mountains […]”.

The castle towers the Knight Valley from 1,000 meters of height. It marked the border of the Church State when the Cardinal Francesco Barberini, nephew of the reigning Pope Urban the 8th, was the owner. The old medieval village, surrounded by the walls, took refuge around the castle. Entering the ancient town door, you get to the little central square with its peculiar fountain and the old drawbridge.

From the websites: www.manieri.it www.mondimedievali.it e www.icastelli.it