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Castel del Monte in Andria, Italy, surrounded by lush greenery and countryside.
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Tickets

Castel del Monte Skip-the-Line Tickets

  • Bypass queues and explore the 13th-century castle and citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a fascinating composition of mathematical precision.
  • Admire the geometry and symmetry of an octagonal courtyard surrounded by 8 massive octagonal towers with 16 trapezoidal rooms, 8 on each floor.
  • Wonder at the mixture of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity, reflected in the castle architecture.
  • Find two corbels carved in the form of human figures in the Falconer’s Tower and the​ fragment of a floor mosaic in the 8th room on the ground floor.
  • Opt for audio-guided tours in English, Italian, French, Spanish, or German to learn about how Emperor Frederick applied his artistic vision to create the unique design of the castle.
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Check availability
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Bypass queues and explore the 13th-century castle and citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a fascinating composition of mathematical precision.
  • Admire the geometry and symmetry of an octagonal courtyard surrounded by 8 massive octagonal towers with 16 trapezoidal rooms, 8 on each floor.
  • Wonder at the mixture of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity, reflected in the castle architecture.
  • Find two corbels carved in the form of human figures in the Falconer’s Tower and the​ fragment of a floor mosaic in the 8th room on the ground floor.
  • Opt for audio-guided tours in English, Italian, French, Spanish, or German to learn about how Emperor Frederick applied his artistic vision to create the unique design of the castle.

Inclusions #

  • Skip-the-line entry to Castel del Monte

  • Audio guides in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German (optional)

  • Tip: Visit the castle in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst of the heat and for the best light to photograph the views from the castle.
  • Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month.
  • Small pets are allowed only in carriers.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Aerial view of Castel del Monte surrounded by greenery in Andria, Puglia.
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Guided Tours

Castel del Monte Small-Group Guided Tour

  • Delve into the history of Castel del Monte on a 1-hour guided tour with a small group, ensuring you get personalized attention from the experts.
  • This 13th-century castle's most distinctive feature is its octagonal shape, which is unusual for medieval castles. Find out why from your guide.
  • Check out the Great Hall on the second floor with its 8 unique vaults and a center column. Roam around the chapel known for its simple yet elegant design.
  • Your tour, your choice. Personalize your tour according to your language preference with English or Italian-speaking guide options.
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Check availability
1 hr
  • Delve into the history of Castel del Monte on a 1-hour guided tour with a small group, ensuring you get personalized attention from the experts.
  • This 13th-century castle's most distinctive feature is its octagonal shape, which is unusual for medieval castles. Find out why from your guide.
  • Check out the Great Hall on the second floor with its 8 unique vaults and a center column. Roam around the chapel known for its simple yet elegant design.
  • Your tour, your choice. Personalize your tour according to your language preference with English or Italian-speaking guide options.

Inclusions #

  • 1-hour guided tour of Castel del Monte

  • English or Italian-speaking guide (based on option selected)

  • Entry to Castel del Monte

  • Tip: Pay close attention to the symbolic 8 in the castle's design. Each angle holds historical and mathematical meaning.
  • Guests with mobility issues can participate in the visit to the ground floor and courtyard.
  • Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Castel del Monte | Andria’s Octagonal Wonder

Is it a castle? Is it a fort? Is it an octagonal anomaly? Castel del Monte is all this and more. This unique 8-sided structure in Puglia, southern Italy, was built by the Germanic emperor Frederick II around 1240. Initially believed to be a fortress, scholars speculate that Castel del Monte was a hunting lodge. Learn more about what makes this intriguing castle a must visit in Puglia.

Why visit Castel del Monte?

Visit Castel del Monte
  • Unique architectural structure: Castel del Monte stands out for its exceptional precision. With 8 towers emerging from 8 corners, blending Islamic, Gothic, and Romanesque influences, the castle's unique shape fuses elements of both circles and squares.
  • Inconclusive purpose: The castle's original purpose remains a mystery, lacking clear indicators of a fortress, such as moats or enclosing walls. Notably, its interior stairs defy the conventional clockwise direction. Some believe that it was a hunting lodge. Perhaps you could be your mystery to solve!
  • Polychromatic finish: Colour is a symbol of luxury, and Frederick II indulged in the finest marble for the castle’s interiors. Special limestone and coral breccia give the castle a polychromatic appearance.
  • Frederick’s legacy: Emperor Frederick was a learned man in mathematics, philosophy, history and religion. This exceptional project mirrors his diverse passions, fusing cultural and religious elements with scientific precision.
  • Most visited monument in Puglia: Castel del Monte draws the maximum number of visitors in the Puglia region. Its popularity skyrocketed when it was later embossed on the Italian 1 cent Euro coin.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Owing to its outstanding architectural genius, fairly intact structure and superior conservation efforts, UNESCO has recognised it as a heritage site in 1996.

Which Castel del Monte ticket is best for you?

If you're short on time

Go for: Skip-the-line tickets
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Optional audioguide

  • Get priority entry and bypass long queues to delve right into this octagonal marvel.
  • With an optional audioguide in English, Italian, Spanish, French or German, learn about the intriguing legacy and history of the castle.

Recommended ticket

​Castel del Monte Skip-the-Line Tickets

If you're looking for an intimate experience

Go for: Small-group guided tours
Duration: 1 hour
Guide: Available

  • Benefit from the knowledge and expertise of an English or Italian guide as they walk you through the castle and its unique history.
  • Don't miss the Great Hall on the second floor. Look out for its 8 vaults and centre column.

Recommended ticket

​Castel del Monte Small Group Guided Tour

Castel del Monte Highlights

Strict octagonalism

Castel del Monte is a precise paper blueprint that achieved perfection in stone. This rigid octagonal design was perhaps meant to heighten the interplay of light and shadow during the solstices.

Courtyard

Located in the middle of the castle, the courtyard is also octagonal. The main tank that collected rainwater was located below the courtyard.

Rooms and towers

The 16 rooms (8 on the ground floor and 8 on the first floor) have vaulted ceilings and are trapezoid in layout. Although much of its ornate decor has been vandalized or stolen over the centuries, you can still see a lot of the castle’s intricate marble carving on doors and frames.

Towers

Some of the towers have staircases connecting the two floors of the castle. Of note is the Falconer’s Tower, as Frederick II was deeply influenced by the Arab tradition of falconry. View the humanoid figures carved into this tower.

Columns

The columns inside Castel del Monte are made of two different types of stone: coral crushed stone on the ground floor and trilobite marble on the first floor. The coral crushed stone columns are semi-columns, while the trilobite marble columns are pillars.

Advanced hydraulic engineering

Frederick II’s penchant for innovation is showcased in his use of hydraulic toilets and baths that harvested rainwater. He was inspired by Arab engineering, and Castel del Monte was thought to be one of the first European castles to have toilet flushes.

Throne Room

The 5th room was the seat of the throne. Although the actual throne is no longer there, you can sit on the steps leading up to it and take a picture.

Remnants of a fireplace

The hollow that was once a blazing fireplace has now caved into the wall. This was where game from royal hunts was slow-roasted.

Plan your visit to Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte Timings

April 1 to September 30: 10 AM to 6:45 PM.
October 1 to March 31: 9 AM to 5:45 PM.
Last admission: 45 minutes before closing time.
Closed: December 25 and January 1.
Visit duration: 45 minutes
Capacity: Maximum 120 people at a time (including children) and 30 members per tour group (including children)

Best time to visit

As Puglia can get quite hot and crowded during the summers, the best time to visit would be between September and March, ideally as soon as the castle opens.

Castel del Monte Location

Address: Contrada Castel del Monte Ex, Strada Statale 170, 76123 Andria BT, Italy

​Find on map

Getting there

  • By bus: No 6 from Andria (only plies from April 1 to November 1). From November 1 onwards, the bus runs only on Saturday and Sunday.
    Nearest stop: Castel del Monte
  • By train: Ferrovie Nord Barese train from Bari to Andria
    Nearest stop: Andria
  • By car: Take the Motorway A14 (Bologna-Taranto) or motorway A16 (Bari-Napoli) and exit  at Andria-Barletta S.S 170. The castle is roughly 18 km from Andria.
    Car parking: On the castle premises for €5. The castle is a 5-minute walk from the parking lot.
Castel del Monte tips
  • Visits are not permitted without making a prior reservation, so choose a time slot that works best for you.
  • Do note that the site is not wheelchair navigable as it is a medieval structure with cobbled and uneven flooring.
  • If you’re bringing a pet, it must be brought in a special carrier.
  • Castel del Monte is believed to have been aligned with solstices and equinoxes. You can try to spot these astronomical alignments yourself by paying attention to the sun's position in the sky.
  • Try to arrive using private transport as Castel del Monte is located away from Andria proper, and there is infrequent bus connectivity.
  • At the end of your visit, purchase an Italian 1-cent euro coin as a keepsake since it has Castel del Monte on one side.
Restaurants near Castel del Monte
  • La Locanda dei Duchi: For home-made pasta and melt-in-your-mouth Burrata cheese, head to La Locanda dei Duchi.
  • Ai Pilieri di Bagnoli: Set in the lush agricultural landscape of the Bari region, enjoy good wine and fresh olives at Ai Pilieri di Bagnoli.
  • Torre Sansanello: For a unique farm experience amidst animals and nature, Torre Sansanello serves local Apulian cuisine using the choicest seasonal produce. Enjoy a great view of Castel del Monte from here.  
Sassi di Matera
  • Sassi di Matera: Carved into the limestone cliffs of Matera, the ancient cave dwellings at Sassi di Matera form one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, dating back thousands of years.
  • Swabian Castle of Bari: Built by the Norman King Roger II in the 12th century and later expanded by the Swabian rulers, this castle served as a formidable stronghold against foreign invaders and rival powers vying for control of the region.
  • Swabian Castle of Trani: Discover the castle's enduring connection to Trani's maritime legacy, with its strategic location along one of Italy's most important sea routes. As a key hub of trade and commerce in the Mediterranean, Trani attracted merchants, sailors and travelers from far and wide.

Frequently asked questions about Castel del Monte tickets

A skip-the-line ticket to Castel del Monte is priced at €10. Bypass the long queues and enter straight into the attraction.