Behind the small town of Boiano, on the Matese mountains, lie the ruins of the oldest castle in Molise. It was likely built at the beginning of the Lombard rule over the remains of pre-Roman constructions at the highest point of Civita.
Originally, the fortress had a rectangular layout measuring 116 meters in length and 30 meters in width, with a circular tower at its north-west corner.
The structural characteristics make it difficult to distinguish between Lombard and Norman interventions, further complicated by recent restorations that have homogenized part of the masonry. The Pandone Castle stands on a vast plain at the foot of the Matese, strategically positioned to control the Pescasseroli-Candela tratturo. Nearby, remains of Cyclopean walls suggest an early Samnite fortification that was repurposed in later periods.
During the reign of Frederick II, the area witnessed conflicts between imperial representatives and Judith, wife of Count Tommaso di Celano. A document from October 19, 1239, in the Registrum Friderici II, mentions Civita, with the emperor ordering the demolition of houses near the fortress and the preservation of its military structures. The castle comprised a shelter for the population, the count’s residence, and the high court.