Campobasso’s Monforte Castle dominates the city and surrounding area from the top of Sant’Antonio Hill. It was erected in 1100 by Hugh II of Molise on a Samnite settlement. It underwent major alterations after the 1348 earthquake and took its present form in the 15th century, thanks to Nicola di Monforte, who completed fortification work following the 1456 earthquake and before the war between Ferrante of Aragon and Giovanni D’Anjou for control of the Kingdom of Naples (1459-1464).
The castle appears as a massive quadrilateral with main entrance facing Campobasso, now no longer used. Traces of the drawbridge and side towers, intended for defense, are visible. The windows, small and square, blend in with the embrasures. The top of the walls is decorated with a long row of Guelph battlements, and above the drawbridge is the coat of arms of the Monforte family, consisting of a cross surrounded by four roses.
The interior of the castle is spartan, with a large forecourt and, on the ground floor, the War Memorial. From the terrace, there is a wide panorama from the valleys of the Biferno, Trigno, and Fortore rivers, to the mountains of Abruzzo, to Majella and the hills of Puglia. The remains of the Samnite walls and the fan-shaped structure of the ancient village can be admired.
Interesting is the vast underground area, which covers the same surface as the castle. The function of these spaces has changed over the centuries, but they were certainly a cistern storehouse, a prison, and a refuge during battles. Today the dungeons house water reserves for the civic aqueduct. A specific area of the castle, accessible via a turret, served as a prison, confirming that the castle was used as a prison.