Il castello di Alvignano: un’opera difensiva del territorio dell’Alto Casertano

According to historical records, Cubulteria or Compulteria was an ancient town of Samnite and later Roman foundation located along the Volturno River. Most historians believe it corresponds to the present- day towns of Dragoni and Alvignano in the province of Caserta in Campania.The name of the town is recorded in a commemorative plaque dedicated to di Marcus Aulus Albinus procurator at the cohort of the Breuci From the latter, according to some etymological hypotheses, the toponym Albinianum could derive, from which the present name of Alvignano would later evolve.Alvignano Castle, built isolated on a hill, is a remarkable example of medieval fortified architecture in southern Italy. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries during Norman rule, the castle is mentioned in the Chronicon Vulturnense of 1113 as “Castellum Albinianum”.The keep, or main tower, constitutes the element of the fortification that allowed for the control of the Volturno valley and the surrounding territory. Since its foundation, the castle has been owned by ancient families of various lineages, such as that of Francesco d’Aquino, count of Loreto, who in 1446 sold the fortress of Alvignano to Onorato Caetani, count of Fondi for about 1,600 ducats. Historical sources, such as the Angevin records of the 13th century, indicate that the castle was enlarged and renovated several times over the centuries, until the rule of the Sanseverino family, important feudal lords of the area between the 14th and 15th centuries.Despite its current state of partial ruin, the castle still retains important architectural and structural elements. The objective of this contribution is to analyze and enhance the relationship that exists between the fortification and the territory, that is, the castle and its defensive function of the place.