View source for Castello Normanno-Svevo (Bari)

{{short description|Castle in Bari, Italy}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2015}}
{{infobox military structure
| name          = Norman-Swabian Castle
| native_name   = Castello Normanno-Svevo
| location      = [[Bari]], [[Apulia]], [[Italy]]
| image         = File:Bari BW 2016-10-19 12-32-30.jpg
| image_size    = 300px
| caption       = Western ramparts of the castle
| coordinates   = {{coord|41|7|43|N|16|51|59|E|type:landmark_region:IT|display=inline,title}}
| built         = {{Start date|1132}}
| builder       = [[Norman people|Norman]] king [[Roger II]] <br> Rebuild by [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II of Sicily]]
| open_to_public = yes
}}
The '''Castello Normanno-Svevo''' or '''Norman-Swabian Castle''' ({{langx|it|Castello normanno-svevo}}), also known as the ''u Castídde'' in the [[Barese dialect]], is a [[castle]] in the [[Apulia]]n city of [[Bari]], [[Italy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Castello Normanno-Svevo - Comune di Bari |url=https://www.comune.bari.it/web/cultura-e-turismo/castello-normanno-svevo |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.comune.bari.it |language=it-IT}}</ref>
Built around 1132 by [[Norman people|Norman]] king [[Roger II]], it is currently used for exhibitions.<ref name=":0" />
==History==
Probably built in 1132 by [[Italo-Normans|Norman]] King [[Roger II]], it was destroyed in 1156 by king [[William I of Sicily]] and rebuilt and reinforced in 1233 by [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Fredrick II]], then [[King of Sicily]]. During the [[Capetian House of Anjou|Angevin]] domination, it went through several transformations, and after being acquired by Duke [[Ferdinand of Aragón, Duke of Calabria|Ferdinand of Aragon]], was donated to the [[Sforza family]] and passed to [[Bona Sforza]], Queen of [[Poland]]. After Bona's death, it was returned under the [[King of Naples]] and transformed into a prison and barracks.
The castle is surrounded by a moat on all sides, except the northern section, which was bordering the sea and can be accessed from the bridge and the gate on the southern side. It is mainly composed of the Aragon walls and the main Hohenstaufen tower, and is currently used for exhibitions.
According to the tradition, in 1221 Frederick II met St. [[Francis of Assisi]] in this castle. According to tradition, Frederick had a courtesan sent to Francis's room and watched through a peephole to see what would happen. When Francis sent the woman away, Frederick was impressed with his principles; the two spent the rest of the night in conversation. This story is not confirmed beyond doubt, but it is considered believable.<ref>[[Georgina Masson]]. ''Frederick II of Hohenstaufen: a life.'' pp. 88-89.</ref>
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Bari-Citadel00.jpg
File:Castello di Bari.jpg
File:Bari 014.JPG
File:Cortile interno del castello.jpg|Courtyard
File:Bari, castello 03.jpg|Old Town
File:Bari seaside.jpg|Seaside
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Castles in Apulia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bari]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1132]]
[[Category:1132 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:12th-century establishments in Italy]]