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Castle · Bari, Apúlia
Castello Normanno-Svevo
Fortress on the edge of the old town, erected by the Normans in the 12th century and rebuilt by Frederick II in 1233. It has a moat, stone towers and rooms with exhibitions and a gipsoteca, a collection of plaster casts.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Castello Normanno-Svevo
The Castello Normanno-Svevo, which locals call Castello Svevo, stands on the western edge of Bari Vecchia. The first fortress was built in 1132 by the Norman king Roger II and destroyed in 1156 by William I. In 1233, the emperor Frederick II of Swabia ordered it rebuilt on the old foundations.
In the following centuries the castle acquired an outer wall with lance-shaped bastions, commissioned by Duchess Isabel of Aragon. Her daughter, Bona Sforza, queen of Poland, lived there and died in the castle in 1557. In the 19th century the building became a prison, and later a barracks.
Today the castle is managed by the Italian Ministry of Culture. You cross the moat by a stone bridge and reach the inner courtyard, with bossed stone towers. The rooms host temporary exhibitions and the gipsoteca, which brings together plaster casts of sculptures and Romanesque portals from Apulia.
Excavations carried out inside revealed the plan of a small early-Christian church, with a baptismal font and burials, which can be seen on a route starting from the gipsoteca room.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1.5 hours.
Best time
In the morning or mid-afternoon. The castle usually closes one day a week and hosts events on holidays; check the opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It's on the Piazza Federico II di Svevia, between Bari Vecchia and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, about 1.5 km from Bari Centrale station, roughly a 20-minute walk.
Tip
Leave the castle and go straight into the old town's alleys toward the cathedral. In nearby streets like Strada Arco Basso, women often prepare orecchiette, the typical fresh pasta, on their doorsteps.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Castello Normanno-Svevo
Who built the castle of Bari?
The first fortress belonged to the Norman king Rogério II in 1132. After being destroyed in 1156, it was rebuilt in 1233 by order of Emperor Frederico II, and expanded in the 16th century by the Sforza.
What is there to see inside the castle?
The inner courtyard, the towers, the gipsoteca with molds (casts) of Romanesque sculptures from Apulia, temporary exhibitions, and the remains of a paleochristian church found in excavations.
Do you need to buy a ticket in advance?
Generally tickets are purchased at the entrance. On holidays and during events there may be special hours; check before you go.