Antico Palazzo di Casignano: medieval palace and village

Located very near the US Naval Support Site for Naples, Italy lies a fantastic ruin, at times covered with ivy and at other times surrounded by fields of sunflowers.  The Ancient Palace of Casignano has been identified as a medieval noble palace with a rectangular courtyard and the nearby remains of a medieval village and marketplace.  The area was historically frequented by the Romans, then the Normans, and in medieval times was dominated by the noble Mormile family.  A great shift occurred in 1806 when Giuseppe Bonaparte, king of Naples, abolished all feudal rights.  Since that time, the nobility’s power sharply declined, leading to the abandonment of the palace.  

The ruin is open to the elements, looks to be frequented by teens, is surrounded by cultivated fields, but does not have any “keep out” signage.  Be careful in the lower levels, as there seems to be a modern cistern installed.  So, if you’re military and posted in Naples, the next time you’re driving along the SS7bis highway on your way to the Support Site, no need to wonder anymore what function the impressive structure once served.