Ricetto di Castel del Monte

The Ricetto is the oldest quarter of Castel del Monte, a fortified area associated with the sheltering of shepherds and their flocks.

Why it matters

The Ricetto is described as the oldest part of the borgo: a rounded castle area used as a shelter by shepherds during incursions, around which Castel del Monte later developed. Its compact fabric includes house-towers, shared walls and defensive gates, reflecting the pastoral economy of the mountain settlement.

What to notice

The early castle courtyard was later incorporated into the Chiesa Matrice, dedicated to San Marco; its tower began as a watchtower. The vaulted passages known as sporti connect buildings across narrow lanes. Historic entrances include Porta San Rocco, Porta di Santa Maria and Porta San Ubaldo. The former defensive wall was progressively incorporated into later housing. Murals painted in 2005 by students of the Accademia di Belle Arti in L'Aquila add a contemporary layer.

Context and history

The fortified core is associated with an eleventh-century settlement around a watchtower later converted into a bell tower. A papal bull of 1223 is the earliest document naming the place Castellum de Monte. The village later passed through the hands of the Acquaviva, Sforza, Piccolomini and Medici families before coming under Bourbon rule in 1743. Sheep-rearing and transhumance toward the Apulian plain shaped the local economy. The Ricetto's rounded enclosure provided shelter during incursions.