Trani / Castel del Monte
The discovery of Trani starts from the captivating S. Nicola Pellegrino Cathedral, a Romanesque treasure suspended over the sea, unusually tall compared with the other religious buildings of the region, whose construction began in 1099.
The rich decoration of the interior can be appreciated in the crypts of San Nicola and Santa Maria, and in San Leucio’s hypogeum.
The imposing Swabian Castle, built under Fredrick II, lies close to the Cathedral. Behind the port you can enjoy a stroll in the historic Jewish quarter of Giudecca, with its ancient synagogues and workshops. Not far you will find the Villa Comunale, a relaxing public garden close to the sea, and just one km away is Santa Maria Colonna’s Monastery.
This elegant port on the Adriatic sea is enclosed by Santa Lucia and Sant’ Antonio’s piers; here you can experience the vibrant nightlife of this town . It is also the best place to buy fresh fish or to sip a glass of Moscato by the sea.
Castel del Monte looks like a stone crown resting on the top of a hill. This medieval castle is wrapped in mistery; built under Fredrick II around 1240, the building was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. It is one of the best examples of architecture of the Middle Ages, with its geometrical and mathematical austerity.
The castle is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner; it has eight rooms on both the ground floor and the first floor. An octagonal tub was said to have been placed in the interior courtyard. The symbolism of its elements, the lights and shadows which fall on it, especially during the equinox and the solstice, contribute to making this place a unique fortress, full of charm and mistery.
