Landulfo Palace

Just like all small hamlets in Cilento, the history of Rodio is inextricably connected to the church and particularly to the Order of the Knights of Malta, together with San Mauro la Bruca. Even this small village hidden in the mountains and surrounded by greenery possessed it's castle. Consequently, we have got history and legends concerning their landlords. Probably, this castle was erected in about 1600 by the Basilio family, but Landulfo Palace was restored only some years ago and can now be visited. Even though it is not a real castle, some particulars prove it as such:the imposing scarp walls, the bartesque with its loopholes at the main entrance, the tower and the big gate. It is said that there were three hundredsixtyfive rooms and pccupied the whole centre of the village. Other parts classify it as a baroque manor. The internal staircase with its bell shaped windows is in baroque style, the large rooms, the pigeon tower and the oblong nearly elliptical party hall. A characteristical element is also the internal well, at the right side of the entrance. The keystone above the large gate is a rare example of local artisanship. There is an elegant masque, the gorgoyles at both sides of the gate and the internal court. 

The Basilio dynasty reigned in Rodio already at the end of 1400. They refused to join the conspiracy of the barons and obtained from King I of Aragon the feud of Rodio and were promoted barons as gratitude. Up to the middle of 1700 being loyal and protecting Rodio, the Basilio nobles lived between Rodio and Naples. In 1740 Nicoletta Basilio married Ascanio Landulfo, son of Domenico, baron of Fornelli, in Cilento. After the death of Saveria, last baroness of the Basilios, the feud was inherited by the Landulfo barons and so their dynasty ended.

There is some witness regarding the last heirs from families of Rodio who depended on the baron, between 1700 and 1800. It is said that in 1815 there was the terrible homicide of the last heiress, Saveria Basilio. The murderer was Prospero Landulfo who immediately took over control. As well baron Prospero Landulfo is remembered concerning the uprisings of the Risorgimento in Cilento, defending the Constitution. The Manor was inhabitated by the Landulfo family till 1932 when they migrated to Brazil.

We still may get useful information through people's memories, but not knowing if the facts are true, imagining the daily life of the family and their castle.