Castello Normanno-Svevo (Swabian Castle), Bari (must see)
Also known as the Houenstaufen Castle, the Swabian Fortress was built circa 1132 by the Norman King Roger II. The castle was destroyed in 1156 by King William I ("The Wicked") of Sicily in his busy jaunt through Bari. It was restored by Emperor Fredrick II in 1233.
The castle is surrounded by a moat. Each corner of the castle walls has a tower bastion. The "Tower of Minors" was a juvenile prison. "Traffic Light" is a maritime aide. The "Tower of Saint Francis" is said to have sheltered the saint as a guest of Frederick II. The "Tower of the Wind" on the northwest corner is exactly that.
The ogival arch west gate opens to a vestibule of high cross vaults, columns, and pilasters. A loggia faces a Renaissance courtyard with an Aragonese staircase. North of the courtyard is a passage to the 10th-century church of Saint Apollinaris. Today the castle houses the Bari Directorate for Architectural and Landscape Heritage.
There is a story that in 1221 Frederick II hosted Saint Francis of Assisi in the Swabian Castle. The Emperor sent a courtesan to seduce the saint. As she approached his bed, it was covered with fire. She fled in terror. Frederick (who had been spying on the saint) was very impressed. The courtesan could not be reached for comment.
The castle is surrounded by a moat. Each corner of the castle walls has a tower bastion. The "Tower of Minors" was a juvenile prison. "Traffic Light" is a maritime aide. The "Tower of Saint Francis" is said to have sheltered the saint as a guest of Frederick II. The "Tower of the Wind" on the northwest corner is exactly that.
The ogival arch west gate opens to a vestibule of high cross vaults, columns, and pilasters. A loggia faces a Renaissance courtyard with an Aragonese staircase. North of the courtyard is a passage to the 10th-century church of Saint Apollinaris. Today the castle houses the Bari Directorate for Architectural and Landscape Heritage.
There is a story that in 1221 Frederick II hosted Saint Francis of Assisi in the Swabian Castle. The Emperor sent a courtesan to seduce the saint. As she approached his bed, it was covered with fire. She fled in terror. Frederick (who had been spying on the saint) was very impressed. The courtesan could not be reached for comment.
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Castello Normanno-Svevo (Swabian Castle) on Map
Sight Name: Castello Normanno-Svevo (Swabian Castle)
Sight Location: Bari, Italy (See walking tours in Bari)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bari, Italy (See walking tours in Bari)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bari, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Bari
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bari is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bari Introduction Walking Tour
In the 3rd century BC, the Lapygian coastal city of "Barion" was colonized by Rome. Now called "Bari," it is located on the upper heel of the Italian boot in the region of Apulia. Bari has been referred to as the "California of the South of Italy."
The city is divided into sections called "quarters." The Old City Quarter is located on a peninsula in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The city is divided into sections called "quarters." The Old City Quarter is located on a peninsula in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Bari's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
One of the dicta usually attributed to an 18th-century German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is that "Architecture is the frozen music." To this, one can only add that it's the music of time, especially when it comes to places like Bari, where the intricate details and craftsmanship of historic buildings are a testament to the human ambition to leave a lasting impression and the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles