{"id":22212,"date":"2021-08-20T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/issimoissimo.com\/?p=22212"},"modified":"2021-08-18T16:27:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T14:27:52","slug":"puglias-amazing-castles-and-fortresses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/issimoissimo.com\/coltissimo\/puglias-amazing-castles-and-fortresses\/","title":{"rendered":"Puglia\u2019s amazing castles and fortresses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Forget about the gorgeous beaches and picturesque yesteryear towns, the charm of Puglia<\/strong> is in its mind blowing castles and towers<\/strong>.\u00a0 Scattered across the region from gorgeous seaside to hinterland hill top are ancient fortresses and watch towers created in the 13th century as defense outposts. In today\u2019s landscape, they are magical reminders of Puglia\u2019s rich history,<\/strong> and almost improbable architectural landmarks<\/strong> and monuments<\/strong> that enchant to no end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puglia\u2019s castles are incredible and so is the history, so here\u2019s the brief back story.\u00a0 By the end of the 12th century, Puglia was part of the Norman-Swabian empire Frederick II<\/span><\/strong><\/a> (1194 – 1250) of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, and ,whose CV includes King of Sicily, King of Germany, King of Italy, Holy Roman Emperor, <\/strong>and King of Jerusalem but our favourite is Stupor Mundi<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a> (world wonder), for his enlightened and visionary contributions<\/strong> to history.\u00a0 In his five decade tenure, Frederick left a monumental mark<\/strong> in Italy – founding the Universit\u00e0 di Napoli<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (the oldest public, non sectarian university in the world) and constructing more\u00a0 than 200 castles and fortifications<\/strong>, many of which are in Puglia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the region, there are more than 100 castles<\/strong> hidden in the countryside or prominently residing in cities. Many are restored, some are abandoned, and not all are from Norman-Swabian era. Puglia\u2019s magnificent castles, fortresses<\/strong> and towers span the centuries, capturing epic moments of the region\u2019s rich history. From landmarks of Frederick II to the castles of the Angevin, Baroque and Aragon periods<\/strong>, we\u2019ve lined up our favourites<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Castello del Monte<\/span><\/strong><\/a> is the castle\u2019s castle, an octagonal monument looming over the verdant valley of Western Murgia. Its incredible and mathematical design leads many to believe it was more than just a hunting residence,<\/strong> but also an astronomical observatory<\/strong>.\u00a0 Fittingly out of this world as it also was the site of the sword Godkiller, locked away in mythical Themyscira until Diana would take in 2017\u2019s Wonder Woman<\/span><\/strong><\/a> and setting of a fight scene in Matteo Garrone\u2019s epoch-spanning fantasy Tale of Tales<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA landscape of historical castles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Castel del Monte (Andria)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Castello Normanno -Svevo (Bari)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n