Photo: Lucio De Marcellis, The original uploader was Luciodem at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 42°44′51″ N, 13°35′23″ E
History and description
Castel Manfrino (Italian for Manfrino Castle) is a ruined Middle Ages castle located in Sella di Castel Manfrino, near the hamlet of Macchia da Sole, within the municipality of Valle Castellana in the province of Teramo, inside the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.
History
The castle was built on the remains of an ancient Roman fortress, constructed to defend the road that branched off from the Via Salaria near Amatrice and, through the so-called Pass of Hannibal, reached the plain of Campovalano. Built in the late Middle Ages between the 12th and 13th centuries, it owes its name to Manfred of Swabia, son of Frederick II. The historian from Ascoli, Secondo Balena, also cites the names "Castello di re Manfredi" and "Castel Manfredino," which over time became Castel Manfrino. In documents, it is also mentioned as Castrum Maccle, the castle of Macchia. In the Catalogus Baronum, it is indicated as the fief of Macclam in Asculo.
The fort served as a lookout and observation point to control the route that climbed up the southern slope of Montagna dei Fiori and, from the locality of Civitella del Tronto, reached the mountain from which it was possible to observe the northern slope where the city of Ascoli Piceno is located.
The castle was erected at the behest of Manfred of Sicily on earlier fortified constructions to control, along with the fortress of Civitella del Tronto, the only roads crossing the mountains that connected Ascoli Piceno to Teramo, better known as the "routes of Abruzzo Ascolano."
During the 13th century, after the disappearance of Manfred, the fort passed to Armellino di Macchia di Giacomo, who was later expelled and considered a rebel. He was succeeded by Pietro d'Isola, an Angevin, who was killed during the attack launched against him by the Ascoli inhabitants, commanded by his predecessor Armellino. The Ascoli inhabitants launched the attack following numerous conflicts generated with Charles of Anjou, and the castle was the subject of bitter disputes for long periods to assert "ancient rights". In 1273, it was granted as a fief to Riccardo di Agello. …
Architecture
The ruins are located at an altitude of 963 meters, on a rocky spur overlooking the top of the cliff that dominates the course of the Salinello river, on the border between the province of Ascoli Piceno and the province of Teramo.
The height rises between the Monti Gemelli, that is, between the Montagna dei Fiori and the "Montagna di Campli". The strategic and panoramic location offers a wide view of the underlying valleys, suitable for controlling and spotting the routes that wind through the territory between the Salinello valley and the Rivolta gorge. The site is accessible via the "Strada statale 81 Piceno Aprutina" which connects the cities of Ascoli Piceno and Teramo. Then proceed along the provincial road 52 and follow the signs for the hamlet of Macchia da Sole. From this village, a dirt path climbs along the side of the mountain and, after about 20 minutes on foot, leads to the remains of the castle.
The layout of the castle develops with a longitudinal orientation from north to south. The outer walls of the fortification were built using the natural defensibility of the site, following the profile of the rocky spur that hosts them. They have no other openings besides the single entrance to the enclosure.
Made of river stones cemented and smoothed only on the outer side, they extend for about 120 meters, and the width of the enclosed area varies from 8 to 20 meters. The thickness of the walls ranges from 50 cm to one meter. The structure does not have bastions, perhaps originally present only near the north-facing entrance. …
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Castel Manfrino».
Photos
Getting there
Marino del Tronto-FolignanoTrain, nearest
11.3 km as the crow flies
Castel Manfrino
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Abruzzo
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Castel Manfrino?
Castel Manfrino is in Valle Castellana, in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo), Italy. GPS coordinates: 42.74737, 13.58983.
What else is there to see near Castel Manfrino?
Nearby you’ll find: Abbazia di Santa Maria in Montesanto (6.6 km away), Nina, museo delle arti creative tessili (6.8 km away), Civitella del Tronto (6.8 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Castel Manfrino — Lucio De Marcellis, The original uploader was Luciodem at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - camminamento — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - mura 096 — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - panorama 015 — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - panorama dalla torre nord — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - particolare affresco 025 — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - particolare del corpo di fabbrica interno recinto 082 — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - particolare di un muretto di interno recinto 089 — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castel Manfrino (TE) - resti cinzione muraria — Interminatispazi, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences