Castel del Monte | Andria, Italy
Castel del Monte is located outside of Andria, Italy. I had been wanting to visit earlier but it is quite difficult to reach without a car. There is a bus system in this part of Italy, but from what I learned, it is rather questionable. The schedule isn’t very reliable so I wasn’t comfortable trekking this far into the countryside and possibly being stranded! So, it was the perfect end to my week road trip through Salento.
I had a difficult time understanding the complete history of this castle. I am not sure if it was because my brain was tired from thinking in Italian all the time or if it really does have a confusing past.
The architectural style is completely different from any other during this time, or for that matter, than I've seen at all. It was built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II. Emperor Frederick II inherited the land from his mother, and then decided to build this fortress on top
of the hill. At the castle, you can see a full 360 degrees around you, overlooking all in the distance for miles and miles.
The castle is a unique piece of medieval military architecture with influences of the Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic styles as stated by UNESCO. There is some confusion on the intended purpose of Castel del Monte. It wasn’t believed to be a fortress, and perhaps has taken on many purposes throughout its existence. UNESCO says the Emperor used this site to bring together scholars throughout the Mediterranean, combining Eastern and Western traditions.
Emperor Frederick II was a leader of modern humanism. The castle became a reflection of his values and remains an iconic piece of architecture symbolizing his scholarly philosophies.
