Apice is a town in the province of Benevento, in Campania, whose old town was abandoned following the earthquake of 1962, so today we speak of the ghost town of Apice Vecchia. Already hit by an earthquake of 1702, and the evacuation ordered after that of 1962, the last inhabitants who remained in the old village were forced to abandon it in 1980 following the well-known earthquake of Irpinia.

The most representative building today is the Castle of the Ettore, from the Norman period, which is still in excellent condition. Today its rooms are home to the civic museum of peasant civilization, the exhibition of archaeological finds, exhibitions and other cultural activities, as well as the municipal library. The castle, defended by mighty walls, retains only two of the four original towers, below which there were the basements. Used for a certain period as civilian homes, it is now being renovated and many rooms have taken back their ancient dimensions.

The Appiano Bridge is also of historical interest, located about 3 km from Apice, located not far from the castle of Frederick II, with its remains still resists today, recalling its function in ancient the river Calore to continue towards the port of Brindisi. Originally it was formed by 9 arches, 150m long and 9m high; today only the central part is in good condition while the remains of the pillars are not far away.

Foto credits: GED Events