The castle was repurposed as a prison and military barracks for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Archaeological excavations revealed pre-existing Roman-era foundations and Byzantine structures beneath the current medieval floors.
The courtyard features a Renaissance-style grand staircase added during the late 15th-century renovations.
It originally stood directly on the shoreline before land reclamation projects shifted the coastline further out.
The Gipsoteca contains high-fidelity replicas of sculptures found in the Cathedral of Bari and the Basilica of San Nicola.
The Castello Svevo di Bari is a 12th-century fortress constructed by Roger II of Sicily, later rebuilt and reinforced by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Located on the edge of Bari's historic center, the castle serves as a primary hub for cultural exhibitions and regional archaeological findings. The structure features a distinctive trapezoidal plan with massive corner towers and a defensive moat on three sides. It houses the Gipsoteca, a collection of plaster casts depicting decorative motifs from Puglia's Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. The interior displays various artifacts documenting the castle's history from the Norman and Swabian periods through its later adaptation as a residence for Isabella of Aragon and Bona Sforza. Visitors can access the ramparts for views of the surrounding old city and the Adriatic coastline. It remains a significant example of medieval defensive military architecture in Southern Italy.
The upper ramparts facing the Adriatic Sea provide the best vantage point for architecture-to-sea photography.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes to handle the uneven stone flooring and steep, narrow staircases.
Visit the ramparts first to gain a visual sense of the castle's strategic position relative to the city walls.
Check for temporary archaeological exhibitions, which are frequently hosted in the lower halls.
Do not attempt to park a vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the castle, as the streets are narrow and restricted to residents.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Maintain a quiet tone in the Gipsoteca and follow all signage regarding flash photography of fragile artifacts.
