Castello Svevo

Lonely Planet review

Sprawling Castello Svevo is one of a string of castles that dominate Apulian towns and ports. It started life as a Roman fort but was quickly incorporated by the Byzantines into a more complex system of fortification in the 11th century. It's located just outside the old city walls which it would have shielded from attack, whilst later also serving to keep wayward townspeople in check and impress on them the might of Norman imperial power.

The structure you see today - the low broad ramparts, drawbridge and internal quadrangular courtyard - all date from the early 16th century when Isabella of Aragon made the castle the centre of her court, giving it a Renaissance update. Today it houses the Gipsoteca (included with admission to castle), a permanent gallery featuring plaster copies of Romanesque monumental sculpture from the 12th and 13th centuries. It includes a copy of Bishop Elias' throne from the Basilica di San Nicola, slabs and capitals from the cathedral of Bitonto, bas reliefs of Trani's bronze doors and the ambo (pulpit) and Bishop's throne from the sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo. The rest of the castle is given over to temporary exhibitions, some of world-class standard.