By the 17th century, Castel de Monte was left to ruin and was robbed of its marble and sculptures, later becoming a home to the local shepherds and bandits

Castel de Monte, octagonal in shape, was built by Fredrick II between 1229 and 1249. It was reportedly used as a mansion and hunting lodge as Fredrick was a keen falconer using the birds for hunting. The castle was built without any defensive capabilities i.e. drawbridge or ditch to hinder any attacking armies thus giving rise to the assumption that the castle was indeed built to be used only as a hunting lodge and mansion.

King Fredrick’s illegitimate daughter was married within the castles grounds in 1249.

Castel de Monte was also used as a prison and Fredrick had his grandchildren Enrico, Fredrico and Azzolino as the first prisoners incarcerated within its walls. During 1665, the Noble families of Andria took refuge within the castle during the great plague of the same year.

By the 17th century, Castel de Monte was left to ruin and was robbed of its marble and sculptures, later becoming a home to the local shepherds and bandits. In 1876 the Italian state took control of the castle, beginning the much needed restoration work.


Another castle of note within the same region of Italy built by Fredrick II was Castello Normanno-Svevo. It was constructed in 1132 over earlier Norman ruins and was used as a means of controlling the entry into the city of Bari. The design of Castello Normanno-Svevo is trapezoidal in shape and the four corner towers were added by the Duchess Isabella of Aragon and Bona Sforza.

The castle came under repeated attacks by the local inhabitants of Bari and in 1156 Guglielmo I destroyed the city in act of reprisal. Under the guidance of the Aragonese in the 16th century, the castle was completely surrounded with stone walls capable of withstand the onslaught of canon and weapon fire.

Castello Normanno-Svevo was also used as a prison and military barracks and is now the home of the Art Offices for Apulia.

Tourist Information

Opening Times: 10.00 a.m. to 01.30 p.m. and from 02.30 p.m. to 07.30 p.m. of all days sundays included.

The ticket-office ends the service half hour before.

All days will be offered guided tours in Italian and English at 10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. - 15.30 p.m. - 16.30 p.m. (for the reservations please call +39 339 1146909 Admission Pirces: The ticket for the guided tour is € 2,60 (from 6 to 18 years the ticket is € 1,60) the minimum number of people is about 20.

The ticket price is € 3,00, € 1,50 for those aged between 18 and 25 years; free for boys and girls under 18 years and for those aged over 65 years.

More informations to this numbers: +39 080 5286238/248 and +39 0883 569997 (Italian-speaking only).