The castle of Valsinni, in Basilicata, is one of the most fascinating in Italy due to the evocative place in which it stands and the legend that surrounds it. The manor, in the province of Matera, was built immediately after the year XNUMX on a previous Lombard fortification. What made him famous is the story that links him to the young poet Isabella Mora, who lived here and lost his life at the age of just 26, at the hands of his own brothers. From the day of his death until today, many people have sworn that they have seen his soul wandering in the woods and around the castle or that they have heard his voice in the places where he spent his days .
“Suggestive and impressive”
Valsinni Castle, which is now a national monument, remains one of the best preserved fortifications in the entire region. The philosopher Benedetto Croce, who rediscovered the story of the poetess, defined it as "Suggestive in its architecture and imposing in the fullness of its forms, classic in the flight of battlements and loopholes". Inside are kept writings, documents and works testifying to the existential events of Isabella Morra. Her verses, which tell of the pain and anguish she felt when she was segregated in the tower of the manor before being killed, were published posthumously.
The sad story of Isabella
Isabella Morra was born in Favale (as Valsinni was called in ancient times) around 1520, the castle of Valsinni had come to her family at the beginning of the 8th century. Third of XNUMX children, Isabella lived her years in the castle. At that time, France and Spain were competing for hegemony of the world and the Kingdom of Naples. In the dispute, her father, Baron Morra, sided with the French army against Charles V.
After losing the war he was forced into exile and arrived in France together with his son Scipione. Both never returned to their homeland. For the young woman, who remained in the fiefdom of Favale, the castle first became her prison and then her tomb. Surrounded by solitude and unable to see or frequent open and cultured minds like hers, Isabella took refuge in her poetry and she became a friend to whom she could entrust secrets and thoughts. That is until he met the fascinating Spanish poet Diego Sandoval De Castro, baron of the lands of Bollita, married and father of three children. A friendship was born between the two and a consequent exchange of letters. However, it didn't take long for rumors to insinuate there was a love relationship between the two.
Faced with this rumor, Isabella's brothers decided to wash away the shame of dishonor with blood. Having reached the young woman in the castle, they killed her with dagger blows. Subsequently, it was the turn of Diego, who was murdered with a harquebus in the woods of Noia (today's Noepoli). Isabella's body was never found. This mystery also contributed to fueling the legend of her ghost who still haunts the rooms of the castle and the places around it today.
(Photo: Castello di Isabella Morra Valsinni, Facebook Page)
