Altamura Castle, Medieval fortress in Altamura, Italy.
Altamura Castle was a medieval fortress featuring four corner towers and a central courtyard that housed an integrated chapel. The structure occupied a significant area and functioned as both an administrative center and defensive installation for the surrounding community.
The castle's construction predates the 1243 founding of Altamura by Frederick II and was built before the city itself took shape. It initially housed feudal rulers before gradually losing prominence as the urban settlement expanded around the central plaza.
The castle served as a seat of power for local nobles who governed the surrounding lands and displayed their authority through the building itself. Today, adjacent structures incorporate its original stones, allowing visitors to see physical fragments of that feudal presence.
The former castle site now lies beneath Piazza Matteotti in the city center and is not directly accessible as a visible structure. However, visitors can explore the plaza area and examine adjacent buildings that incorporate original stones from the fortress.
In 1357, the castle grounds became the execution site of rebel Giovanni Pipino di Altamura, whose body was displayed publicly as a warning to others. This event marked a turning point in the feudal control of the region.
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