Castello Normanno-Svevo

Castello Normanno-Svevo is a medieval fortress in Bari with thick stone walls, several towers, and an internal courtyard displaying Norman and Swabian architectural features. The structure now functions as a museum, allowing visitors to explore multiple rooms, staircases, and courtyards that reveal how it was built and altered over time.

A Norman ruler established the fortress in the 12th century as a fortified stronghold for the coastal city. The Hohenstaufen dynasty later seized control and expanded it into a major center of power before subsequent rulers made their own modifications.

The castle's name reflects two dynasties that shaped the fortress over centuries with their distinct approaches to rule and architecture. Walking through the rooms reveals how each period left its mark in the way spaces were organized and decorated for different purposes.

Plan to spend time exploring the different levels and towers, as the pathways through the fortress are not always straightforward to navigate. The site offers partial accessibility for people with mobility challenges, though some areas require climbing stairs.

The fortress walls bear visible marks from cannon fire during past conflicts that remain etched in the stone. These scars serve as a physical reminder of the many sieges the stronghold endured and the intensity of struggle that once surrounded this place.

Location: Bari

Founders: Roger II of Sicily

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Phone: +390805213704

Email: pm-pug.castellosvevo@beniculturali.it

Website: https://musei.puglia.beniculturali.it/musei/castello-svevo-di-bari

GPS coordinates: 41.12811,16.86637

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22