Puglia, the heel of the boot, is home to numerous castles ( castelli in Italian), setbacks in battles of yesteryear. Medieval castles and fortresses in Puglia date back to the 11th century and are popular with visitors to this region of southern Italy. Castles that are open to visitors often have little or no entrance fees, making them good places to visit for families and historians. Many of Puglia’s castles are protected and preserved and some have been renovated to be used to house art galleries or museums.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is a must for visitors as it is everything a castle should be. Built in 1240 by Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily, Castel del Monte is known for its unusual octagonal shape and its architecture is a mix of classical, Islamic Gothic and European styles. The castle is made up of a ring of rooms and buildings in the shape of a crown. All rooms are connected and visitors move from room to room around an octagonal central courtyard.
Castel del Monte is open year-round, with shorter hours in winter, and has a modest entrance fee. Allow about an hour to visit it. The closest town is Andria, about 18 kilometers away. In the area there are several masserie or manor houses, where you can stay like Lama di Luna or Posta Santa Cruz, near Trani.
Castel del Monte is one of southern Italy’s UNESCO world heritage sites that helps preserve it and protect it from damages.
Bari castle
The Norman-Swabian castle in Bari called the Swabian Castle or Castello Svevo was built by the Norman King Roger II in 1131 and later rebuilt by Frederick II. The castle has a working drawbridge, a moat and numerous ramparts. It now houses the Museum of Plaster Works, sculptures and artifacts from the history of Puglia, and temporary art exhibits. This seafront castle near the port, just outside the old town of Bari, served to protect the city from attack.
Bisceglie castle and tower
Located in Bisceglie on the Adriatic coast, this 27-meter high Norman tower was originally designed as an observation tower and fortress surrounded by walls. Built by Count Pedro I in 1060, the Normans originally built only the first floor. Due to advances in weaponry, the main tower, which became a last resort of refuge for local inhabitants in the event of an attack, was later built together with the castle. The tower is known to fishermen as the Torre Maestra and was used by seafarers as a guide for ships entering the port.
The castle now houses an ethnographic museum.
Otranto castle
The Castello Aragonese de Otranto is located at the entrance to the historic center of the city. Although the original castle was built before the 15th century, the most recent restructuring is from the Aragonese period. The castle complex has been restored and is open to visitors. Outside the castle, you can walk to the top of the ramparts for great views of the city and the sea. The first Gothic novel ever written, Otranto Castle, written in 1764, is believed to have been inspired by this castle.
Otranto is a charming town on the east coast of the Salento peninsula and is a good base for exploring the area. Corte di Nettuno is a boutique hotel near the old town.
Brindisi castle
Commonly known as the Red Castle due to the color of the bricks, Brindisi Castle is made up of two sections. The castle was originally built during the reign of Emperor Frederick II in 1227, restored during the 15th century, and expanded during the 16th century. The distinctive features of the castle show the trademarks of Puglia’s history.
During World War II, the castle became the home of King Victor Emanuel III, who fled Rome and subsequently promoted Brindisi to become the temporary capital of Italy.
Oria castle
At the top of the charming little town of Oria is the Castle of Oria, also built in 1277 by Emperor Frederick II. It originally had a square tower, but later two round towers were added. In August there is a parade in medieval costumes and historical tournaments between the four districts of the city in the castle.
Some of the information in this article was provided by Charming Puglia, boutique and luxury hotels.
