At the Court of the Cavaniglia

A night in the Middle Ages at the foot of the Castello Cavaniglia

At the Court of the Cavaniglia is a historical re-enactment that, since 2026, has brought the atmosphere of the 15th century to the heart of Bagnoli Irpino, a village on the Laceno Plateau in the Province of Avellino, Campania. The setting could not be more evocative: the walls of the Castello Cavaniglia, a Norman-Swabian fortress that dominates the historic center and gives the event its name. For one summer night, the castle and its surroundings are transformed into an authentic medieval village, with lights, music, and scents that transport visitors back five centuries.

The Court of the Cavaniglia, between Spain and Irpinia

The initiative was born with a clear goal: to enhance the historical and cultural heritage of the area by reviving the court of the Cavaniglia, an ancient family of Spanish origin who, along with the Orsini and Caracciolo families to whom they were related, deeply influenced the town's history. Bagnoli was long a royal domain before being granted as a fiefdom during the Aragonese era to the Cavaniglia, along with Montella and Cassano. The new lords ruled for over a century and significantly expanded the town: Count Troiano I Cavaniglia, a man of arms but also of great culture, supported the village's craftsmanship and attracted intellectuals and humanists from the Kingdom of Naples to the castle. It is this memory, often little-known even to locals, that the event aims to bring to life for visitors in an immersive, non-museum setting.

The Grand Medieval Banquet

The beating heart of the evening is the Grand Medieval Banquet held outdoors, an immersive experience that allows guests to enjoy a dinner inspired by the splendors of the 15th century. To make the re-enactment even more authentic, banquet participants wear medieval costumes, provided free of charge by the organizers to all registered guests: nobles, ladies, commoners, and knights all sit together at the same table beneath the castle walls. Participation in the banquet is by reservation only and requires a fee, with bookings closing well in advance of the event date.

Jesters, musicians, and traveling performers

Surrounding the dining area, the entire perimeter of the castle becomes a stage. The program for the first edition featured:

• jesters and musicians in costume, with a percussion group accompanying the procession and the banquet service;
• traveling performances throughout the castle grounds and along the walls;
• food stalls and a medieval-style market area;
• free distribution of sandwiches, porchetta, and wine to those not seated at the banquet, to involve the entire community.

The formula chosen by the organizers is explicitly popular: admission to the event is free and open to everyone, with only the dinner requiring a reservation. This is a significant detail, as it makes the evening an event open to the town and passing visitors, rather than a party reserved for a select few.

Who organizes the event

The event is promoted by the Palazzo Tenta 39 Socio-Cultural Circle, a local association active for years in the research and dissemination of local history, with the patronage of the Municipality of Bagnoli Irpino and in collaboration with the Pro Loco Bagnoli-Laceno. The organizers have already announced their intention to make this a recurring feature of the summer calendar, recognizing that there is still much to study, discover, and showcase regarding the Cavaniglia legacy.

The opening of the Bagnoli Laceno Summer Events

At the Court of the Cavaniglia is not an isolated event: it is the opening act of the Bagnoli Laceno Summer Events, a summer and autumn program running from July 19th through October across the village and the Laceno Plateau, featuring concerts, theater, food festivals, sports tournaments, and family activities. Starting the season with a historical re-enactment at the castle is a statement of identity: before the summer fun begins, the story of what Bagnoli once was takes center stage.

Why it is worth the trip

Bagnoli Irpino is one of the most characteristic villages in Irpinia, known for its black truffle, caciocavallo cheese, and its proximity to Laceno, with its lake and forests. A night at the Castello Cavaniglia naturally pairs with a day on the plateau or a walk through the historic center, among alleys, stone portals, and the church of Santa Maria Assunta. For those visiting inland Campania, it is an opportunity to discover a Middle Ages far from mass tourism circuits, told by those who have that castle right in their own backyard.