An octagonal castle alone on a hill – the most puzzling building of Frederick II.
Castel del Monte stands on the Murgia northwest of Matera, about an hour and a half by car. It is UNESCO World Heritage.
The form
The building is consistently octagonal: an octagonal plan, eight octagonal towers, an octagonal courtyard. What it was for is still disputed – hunting lodge, symbol of power, astronomical structure, or all of these at once.
What to expect
The interior is empty; there are no furnishings to see. The appeal lies in the geometry and in the position above the wide plain.
Practical
In high season a shuttle takes visitors up from the car park; otherwise you walk part of the way. There is hardly any shade at the top.
Read on
- Gravina in Puglia – a stop on the way
- Day trips around Matera – all the destinations in overview
