NOMAN SWABIAN CASTLE Photo Gallery
Norman-Swabian Castle photos | Photos du château normanno-souève | Fotos der normannisch-staufischen Burg | Fotos del Castillo Normando-Suevo | Castello Normanno-Svevo foto | Zdjęcia Zamku Normanów i Szwabów | Фото норманно-шва
Norman-Swabian Castle photos | Photos du château normanno-souève | Fotos der normannisch-staufischen Burg | Fotos del Castillo Normando-Suevo | Castello Normanno-Svevo foto | Zdjęcia Zamku Normanów i Szwabów | Фото норманно-шва
The Norman-Swabian Castle in Bari (Italian: Castello Normanno-Svevo di Bari) is an imposing medieval fortress situated in southern Italy, in the Apulia region, right by the Adriatic coast. It stands as one of the most iconic landmarks of the city of Bari.
The castle was originally constructed around 1132 by the Norman King Roger II. It was destroyed in 1156 by order of King William I of Sicily, but later rebuilt in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Over the centuries, the castle underwent numerous modifications and expansions, notably under the Angevin and Aragonese rulers. During the Renaissance, part of the structure was transformed into a ducal residence.
Architecturally, the castle is characterised by its massive stone construction, typical of medieval fortresses. It is surrounded by a now-dry moat and features four corner towers and a central courtyard. Its design blends Norman, Swabian, Gothic, and Renaissance elements.
Today, the castle serves as a museum and cultural centre, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and other events. Visitors can explore collections of sculpture, ceramics, and archaeological finds (part o which you can see on the photos above), as well as walk through the former chambers and along the defensive walls. Several rooms feature historic scenes projected onto the walls. When I visited the castle in late 2023, one of the halls also displayed a wall-mapped visual narrative of Queen Bona’s life.
Who was Bona? After the death of her father, Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Bona inherited the rights to Bari. In 1518, following her marriage to King Sigismund I the Old and her accession as Queen of Poland, she was granted Bari and Rossano as a fief by Emperor Charles V. The castle in Bari thus became part of her hereditary estate, although she spent most of her life in Poland.
The castle is located near Bari’s historic centre, not far from the renowned Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Basilica di San Nicola). In fact, Queen Bona’s sarcophagus lies above the altar in this very cathedral.
