World Travel GuidesThe World Heritage Sites Homepage Castel del Monte, Italy

  Compare Hotel Room Rates from different Booking Sites   Follow Me on Pinterest 


Castel del Monte is a 13th century castle built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II that is today recognised as a World Heritage Site. The castle is located in Andria in the Apulia region of Italy. It was built between 1240 and 1250. The castle is unusual in that it doesn't have a moat or drawbridge, indicating that defence might not have been a priority in its construction.


Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte
Author: AlMare (public domain)

 Castel del Monte is a fusion of different elements from classical antiquity, Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic. The choice of location and its perfectly regular shape points to many symbolic significance derived from mathematical and astronomical calculations.

The number eight figures prominently in its dimensions. The castle is in the form of an octagonal prism. At each of its eight corners is an octagonal bastion. Each floor has 8 rooms. At the centre of the castle is an eight-sided courtyard. Emperor Frederick II is believed to have been inspired to build in this shape from the Dome of the Rock which he saw during the Crusale, or perhaps by the Palace Chapel of Aachen Cathedral.

Castel del Monte was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 20th session of the World Heritage Committee in Mérida, Mexico, on 2 - 7 December, 1996.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 41 5 5.3 E 16 16 15.4 in the communes of Andria and Corato
Inscription Year: 1996
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, II, III

Return to Italy's World Heritage Sites
Return to Italy Travel & Hotel Guide
Return to World Heritage Sites






  • Tips to become a smart traveler: Useful tips to remember, to get the best out of your travels.
  • Preparing for a Trip: Systematic approach to help you prepare for your trip.
  • How to plan your travel itinerary: Step-by-step build to creating the itinerary for your trip.
  • How to compare hotel room rates: Learn to use a booking search engine to compare rates across all major booking sites.
  • How to pack your luggage: Useful steps to take when packing your luggage.
  • Packing List (PDF): Print out this free packing list to make sure you don't forget anything for your trip.
  • Voltage, Frequency, Plugs & Sockets of the World: Learn about the mains electricity supply in the world.
  • Travelers' List of Plugs and Sockets (PDF): Easy-to-use list of electricity and plugs for all countries.
  • Making International Direct Dail Calls: Learn to make IDD calls from anywhere in the world.
  • IDD Call Prefixes & Country Codes (PDF): Listing of Call Prefixes and Country Codes on one page for you to bring on your trip.
  • Safety Tips When Traveling Alone: Useful advice for when you travel on your own.
  • Guide to Health Matters related to Travel: Comprehensive coverage of different issues related to your health when traveling.
  • Getting Travel Insurance for your trip: Benefits of travel insurance, and advise on when you should signing up for one.
  • Improve your travel photography: Tips to improve your photography skills, especially when traveling.
  • Guide to Traveling Around the World: Useful tips for encircling the globe.


    • Find a hotel







    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Point - Click - Discover!

    Thanks for visiting this webpage. To continue exploring, choose another destination!


    My World Travel Guides - celebrating a beautiful world beautifully.

    Earning a living as a Happy Jobless Guy

    I am a Happy Jobless Guy! I am one of the few people who is fortunate enough to earn an income from my websites that I don't to go out to work. My sites get thousands of visitors every day. It has been a long process, but it is something everybody can achieve, and that means YOU. The following are some articles which you might want to read if you want to do what I do:
    1. Money Making Manual
    2. Create Your Own Money-Printing Machine
    3. Guide for earning a living without holding a job
    4. Generate a Sitemap for your website
    5. Complete Step-by-Step e-Business Building System