The patron saint of Senise is Saint Roch, celebrated on 16 August. The founding of today's town dates from the Norman period, when a first castle was built, dependent on the county of Chiaromonte, part of a complex defensive system guarding the valley below: the first settlement formed around this stronghold. With the arrival of the Angevins the convent and the church of San Francesco were built, in 1270, while the castle was moved to a higher position and the urban fabric expanded to occupy the entire triangular hill, protected by the Serrapotamo stream and by two deep ravines.
The historic centre, developed below the medieval castle along the slopes of the hill, preserves period alleys and buildings that can become a labyrinth for those unfamiliar with the place, as well as important noble palaces such as Palazzo Crocco, Palazzo Guerriero and Palazzo Donnaperna. Senise is today famous for its peppers, which are dried until «crusco», that is crisp, and fried in hot oil or baked to accompany pasta, cheese and vegetables.
