Monte Sant'Angelo

Built in the 13th century by Charles I of Anjou. The portal has bronze doors (1076) where scenes from the Old and the New Testament are depicted. The cave of the apparition is accessed through the internal hall. Here there is an altar and a statue made by Andrea Sansovino depicting the Archangel. The altar of the Madonna dates back to the 11th-12th century. It is among the Lombard UNESCO heritage sites. The National Geographic Society has recognized the Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo as one of the most beautiful caves in the world.

The first evidence of the structure of the Castle dates back to the years 837-838. The castle was the residence of princes of the Honor Sancti Angeli lordship: it belonged to Rainulfo (count of Aversa) and then to Roberto il Guiscardo. It hosted Frederick II of Swabia and his favorite, the Countess Bianca Lancia of Turin. The Angevins used it as a state prison: famous are the detentions of Filippa d'Antiochia (Swabian princess) who died there in 1273, and that of Queen Giovanna (perhaps murdered there) and whose remains remain in Monte Sant'Angelo, in the church of San Francesco. It also became the home of Durazzo princes: in fact, Charles III of Durazzo, later king of Naples and Hungary, was born here.