| The building incorporates the ancient Norman castle of the twelfth century, which is still recognizable in the floor plan irregular quadrilateral with corner towers connected by a wall.
In the Angevin period it was extended and strengthened. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed a short stretch of scarp wall and a tower of polygonal shape, which have led researchers to suggest the presence of a fortified enclosure used later as the foundation of structures built in 400 by Giovanna of Aragon.
The transformation from castle to mansion, starting with the dynasty of the Acquaviva d'Aragona, reaches its top with the De Mari family of Genoa.
In 1664 the Marquis Charles de Mari buys the feud and the following year he became the prince of Acquaviva, the family retained the title until 1806. In this period the castle was enlarged. Inside there was a theater and an elegant gallery of paintings (now used as a hall of the Municipal Council). The courtyard was altered with the demolition of the octagonal tower and the transformation of "corrituro scoverto" in an elegant and stately portico which stands on the crest of the family. |