La leggenda della Bella Antonella

There is an ancient legend for lovers, in Salerno: the story of the beautiful Antonella.

Antonella was one of the bridesmaids of Queen Margherita of Durazzo. One day the son of Margherita, Ladislaus, while returning from war stopped to greet his mother, along with several warriors, including Raimondo. Near the fountain next to the building, Antonella and Raimondo fell madly in love.

But a damsel envious said Antonella was not worthy of Raimondo due to her low background and warned Ladislaus to imprison the girl in the monastery of San Michele, before he went to war against ' Ramon.

After two years, the King in his bid to reward the gallantry displayed by Raimondo, gave him permission to tie the knot with his beloved Antonella.

Meanwhile, in the year 1412, during a terrible plague, the Queen fell ill. His son rushed to her bedside accompanied by Raimondo and his wife. Margherita, in seeing the girl, he revealed to Raimondo that the bride was not Antonella but his wicked mate Vanna, who had replaced her in order to marry Raimondo. Antonella, instead, laid, also contiguous to the moribund, regina. Raimondo succeeded just in time to see his beloved who died in his arms.

Raimondo, stripped of all his possessions and having lost his mind played with a doublet and began to wander through the town and then through the mountains and valleys in search of his beloved.

Next to the ruins of the castle is still the fountain where they met the first time the two hapless young couple. According to legend, if a girl, in August, after having wet her lips and whispered the formula (Anima della fontanella di Margherita, Queen bella, Antonella's tears, betrayed by the infamous hunting mate), can scoop some water, then drop only six drops (tears of Antonella). And when she takes them up again, she can see the fulfillment of her love dreams.