Castello Monforte
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|name = Castello Monforte
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|location = Campobasso, Molise, Italy
|image = Campobasso castello.jpg
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|type = Castle
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The Castello Monforte is a castle and defensive complex in Campobasso, Italy. It is located on a hill overlooking the city. The complex also houses the {{Interlanguage link|Campobasso Monforte meteorological station|it|Stazione meteorologica di Campobasso Monforte}} and the {{Interlanguage link|Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore|it}}.
History
The origin of the castle is disputed. Some authors{{Who|date=May 2022}} date the castle to 1459, built for {{Interlanguage link|Count Nicola II dei Monforte-Gambatesa|it|Cola di Monforte}}-also known as Cola Monforte. Other authors date the castle to Norman times;{{Cite web |title=Il Castello Monforte di Campobasso |url=http://www.centrostoricocb.it/pagine/castello.htm |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Associazione Centro Storico Campobasso}} a document from 1375 mentions a castle there.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-24 |title=Italian monuments: the Monforte Castle in Campobasso |url=https://magazine.dooid.it/en/interests-en/italian-monuments-monforte-castle/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=dooid Magazine |language=en-US}}
After the castle suffered damage during the earthquake of 1456, Cola Monforte refurbished the castle and surrounding structures and erected walls. During the 17th century, the castle was abandoned and began to deteriorate. In the 19th century, it was used as a temporary cemetery. In 1861, the castle was bought by the city of Campobasso.
In 2022, the Italian Order of Architects criticized the city of Campobasso for not involving directly the Order in the redevelopment project of the castle.{{Cite web |last=Rainews |first=Redazione di |date=2022-10-23 |title=Castello Monforte, botta e risposta tra Ordine degli architetti e sindaco |url=https://www.rainews.it/tgr/molise/articoli/2022/10/mol-castello-monforte-campobasso-riqualificazione-architetti-ordine-comune-sindaco-roberto-gravina-presidente-ordine-alessandro-izzi-amministrazione-daa6981b-da5e-49ae-9343-ea452717f437.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=RaiNews |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Castello Monforte, il progetto per ridare lustro al simbolo della città |url=https://www.primopianomolise.it/citta/campobasso/113636/castello-monforte-il-progetto-per-ridare-lustro-al-simbolo-della-citta/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=PrimoPiano Molise |language=it-IT}}
Gallery
File:Campobasso (24126151381).jpg|View of the Castello Monforte and Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore
File:Vista su Campobasso dal Castello Monforte.jpg|View of Campobasso from the castle
File:Old Town, 86100 Campobasso, Italy - panoramio - trolvag (12).jpg|Castle interior
File:Campobasso - Castello Monforte 04.jpg|The meteorological station on top of the castle
References
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