Castel del Monte
Frederick II of Swabia's octagonal castle in the Murge hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Castel del Monte stands on a hill in the Murge, about 18 km from Andria, and was built by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. The oldest document attesting its construction is a letter dated 29 January 1240, in which the emperor ordered materials and works for a castle near the ancient church and monastery of Santa Maria del Monte. The architect is uncertain, and many scholars believe the design goes back to Frederick II himself. The function of the building is still debated: defensive, residential or representative.
The plan is octagonal, with an octagonal inner courtyard and eight octagonal towers at the corners. The building is made mainly of limestone, with breccias of red coral and marble. When Frederick II died in 1250, the castle was probably unfinished. It was later also used as a prison; in 1528 it suffered damage from a French expedition, and in 1552 it was sold to Count Fabrizio Carafa of Ruvo, who used it as a summer residence.
From the 17th century the castle was abandoned and stripped of its marble cladding, and ended up housing shepherds, bandits and political exiles. In 1876 the Italian state bought it, and restoration began in 1879 and continued through the 20th century. Since 1996 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its mathematical and astronomical precision and for the fusion of northern European, Islamic and classical elements. Its outline appears on the Italian 1-cent euro coin.
Highlights
- Octagonal plan with eight octagonal towers
- Octagonal inner courtyard
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996
- Trapezoidal rooms with cross and barrel vaults
- Courtyard cistern, still in working order
- Founded
- 1240
- Operated by
- Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Puglia (Ministero della Cultura)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 214,139
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2young people aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s, under the rules of the state museums. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of the month (“Domenica al museo”, museum Sunday).
Optional online booking.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
Dog-sitting service “Dogs & Museum”, run by Bauadvisor during the visit.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The site lists “spazi espositivi” (exhibition spaces) among its services. |
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