Castel del Monte & Bari Old Town Shore Excursion

This private Bari shore trip pairs a walking tour of Bari's old town with a visit to the mysterious Castel del Monte, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

After meeting your licensed guide, you drive to the old town of Bari for a walking tour. The port city was founded during the Bronze Age on a small promontory that is now the old town, with narrow alleys and sweeping views of the sea. Bari grew in importance after the Roman conquest and the construction of the Via Appia, and it flourished again under Norman rule. On May 9, 1087, the relics of St. Nicholas were brought to Bari, making the city one of the three main pilgrimage centers of Christianity at the time; they are still kept today in the Basilica di San Nicola. Nearby stands the Norman Castle, the largest building in the region, with medieval and Renaissance additions layered over the centuries. Bari's Cathedral, dedicated to San Sabino, was built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the remains of an earlier Byzantine church and is one of the largest Romanesque buildings in Apulia; its crypt, supported by 28 columns with Byzantine and Romanesque capitals, holds the relics of San Sabino.

From Bari, you travel to Castel del Monte, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II around the year 1240. Standing on a hill about 540 meters (1,772 feet) above sea level, the castle offers sweeping views over the surrounding countryside and toward the sea. Its purpose has never been settled: there is no moat or drawbridge to suggest a fortress, no stables to suggest a hunting lodge, leaving historians to debate whether it served as a retreat, a prison, or a refuge during outbreaks of plague. What is certain is its design, an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each of its eight corners, eight rooms on each level, and an eight-sided courtyard at its center. The outer walls rise about 75 feet, with towers reaching about 80 feet. In 1996, UNESCO named Castel del Monte a World Heritage Site, and it now appears on the reverse of the Italian one cent euro coin.

After visiting the castle, you return to the pier in Bari.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.