Castel del Monte, Gothic castle on Monte Imperiale hill near Andria, Italy.
This castle rises as an octagonal plan with eight corner towers on a hilltop and is built from local limestone and marble. The interior rooms are arranged around a central courtyard, with each floor maintaining the same geometric division.
The Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick II commissioned construction beginning in 1240 to create a residence that combined military and representative functions. The complex was completed within a few years and has remained nearly unchanged over the centuries.
The name refers to the exposed position on a gentle hill from which the surrounding land could once be surveyed over long distances. The geometric forms and symmetrical layout show that the patron placed great value on order and proportion.
Access is via a path leading from the parking area to the entrance, with the site accessible to wheelchair users. The rooms are connected by stairs and ramps, allowing most areas to be visited without major difficulty.
The location was chosen so that during the equinox, light falls through certain windows and doors, creating special light effects inside. This astronomical alignment shows how carefully the planning was done.
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