ETIMOLOGY AND HISTORY

It is one of the Irpinia villages that is quite good from a structural point of view, but that suffers a strong demographic depopulation. It is a village perched on a cliff surrounded by nature, and it has been the capital of the Ultra principality from 1284 to 1806. It was already populated in the Neolithic period, but the first major settlement dates back to the Lombardic period with the origin of the castrum enlarged by the Normans in the eleventh century with the new policy of territorial control.

In fact, Montefusco was perfect for the defense and the control of the neighboring territories. With the Normans arrival, Montefusco is quoted in the chronicles of 1114 of the historic Falcone Beneventano, and its castle was already described as ingens (big) and as a political and military reality already structured. With the Swabians first, and the Angevin after, Montefusco became even bigger. In 1400 the Montefusco Barony was founded, and became seat of the court, then the Barony went to the Bourbons and the majestic castle became a prison that remains active until the twentieth century.