Italy · Castles & Palaces

2-Hour Castel del Monte Guided Tour with Octagonal Mystery

2 Hours Round trip from SS 170 Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover the most important medieval monument in southern Italy, built by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen
02 Learn the latest hypotheses about why Castel del Monte was built in its distinctive octagonal shape
03 Enjoy wonderful views over the Alta Murgia National Park from the hilltop setting
04 Enter the monument and explore its rooms and architectural details with your guide

Venture on a two-hour guided tour of Castel del Monte, the most important medieval building in southern Italy, built by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen. Admire its unique shape, with eight sides and eight octagonal towers, and uncover the mysteries that still surround this extraordinary monument. Explore the interiors and exteriors with your guide while learning about its historical context, UNESCO status, and the cultural influences that make it one of Italy's most remarkable medieval landmarks.

Castel del Monte was built on top of a hill, from where you can admire a large part of the Puglia region, the coastal cities, and a beautiful surrounding landscape.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

City Andria

Languages English, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Explore Castel del Monte, the Crown of Italy

In the heart of Puglia lies one of the most important monuments of the Middle Ages in Italy, a treasure of beauty and mystery waiting to be explored.
Castel del Monte was built on top of a hill, from where you can admire a large part of the Puglia region, the coastal cities, and a beautiful surrounding landscape.
It is certainly the most important building left by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia, full of mysteries that have never been completely revealed. At the heart of its construction, the number 8 appears again and again.
After many years of neglect, during which the castle was stripped of its marble furniture and decorations, it became a refuge for shepherds, brigands, and political refugees.
In 1876, the castle was purchased and restored by the Italian state.
In 1996, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the perfection of its form, the harmonious union of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Islamic world, and classical antiquity, and because it reflects the personality of its creator, Frederick II Hohenstaufen.
During the tour, you will discover the exterior and interior of the "castle" and uncover the secrets of the historical context in which it was built.