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{{Short description|Medieval castle in Andria, Apulia, Italy}} {{Short description|Medieval castle in Andria, Apulia, Italy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Other uses|Castel del Monte (disambiguation)}} {{Other uses|Castel del Monte (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox military structure {{Infobox military structure
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|coordinates = {{coord|41.0847535|16.2709346|format=dms|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |coordinates = {{coord|41.0847535|16.2709346|format=dms|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|image= Castel del Monte - Andria.jpg |image= Castel del Monte - Andria.jpg
|image_size= |image_size=260
|caption=Castel del Monte |caption=Castel del Monte
|built=1240–1250 |built=1240–1250
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|controlledby= |controlledby=
|footnotes = {{designation list | embed=yes |footnotes = {{designation list | embed=yes
⚫ | designation1_date = 1996 <small>(20th ])</small>
| designation1 = WHS
⚫ | designation1_number =
| designation1_offname = Castel del Monte
⚫ }}
⚫ | designation1_date = 1996 <small>(20th ])</small>
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_criteria = i, ii, iii
⚫ | designation1_number =
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = ]
⚫ }}
}} }}


'''Castel del Monte''' (] for "Castle of the Mountain"; ]:&nbsp;''Castìdde du Monte'') is a 13th-century ] and ] situated on a hill in ] in the ] region of southeast ]. It was built during the 1240s by ] ], who had inherited the lands from his mother ]. In the 18th century, the castle's interior marbles and remaining furnishings were removed. It has neither a ] nor a ] and some considered it never to have been intended as a defensive fortress;<ref name="Castex">{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=21}}</ref> however, archaeological work has suggested that it originally had a ].<ref name="Hindley">{{Citation|author=Hindley, Geoffrey|year=1968|title=Castles of Europe|series=Great Buildings of the World|publisher=Paul Hamlyn|location=Feltham, Middlesex, England|page=149|isbn=978-0-600-01635-9}}</ref> Described by the '']'' as "the most fascinating castle built by Frederick II",<ref name=federiciana>{{cite web|last=Hubert|first=Houben|title=Castel del Monte|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/castel-del-monte_(Federiciana)/|work=Federiciana|publisher=]|access-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> the site is protected as a ]. It also appears on the Italian version of the one cent Euro coin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurocoins.co.uk/images1cents.html|title=Images of Euro Coins - 1 cent|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> '''Castel del Monte''' (] for "Castle of the Mountain"; ]:&nbsp;''Castìdde du Monte'') is a 13th-century ] and ] situated on a hill in ] in the ] region of southeast Italy. It was built during the 1240s by ] ], who had inherited the lands from his mother ]. In the 18th century, the castle's interior marbles and remaining furnishings were removed. It has neither a ] nor a ] and some considered it never to have been intended as a defensive fortress.<ref name="Castex">{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=21}}</ref> However, archaeological work has suggested that it originally had a ].<ref name="Hindley">{{Citation|author=Hindley, Geoffrey|year=1968|title=Castles of Europe|series=Great Buildings of the World|publisher=Paul Hamlyn|location=Feltham, Middlesex, England|page=149|isbn=978-0-600-01635-9}}</ref>
The castle is famous for its bold octagonal plan, and classicizing details of the architecture. In 1996, Castel del Monte was named a ] by ], which described it as "a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture".<ref>; {{citation |last=World Heritage Committee |title=Report of the 20th Session, Merida 1996 |url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom96.htm#398}}</ref> Described by the '']'' as "the most fascinating castle built by Frederick II",<ref name=federiciana>{{cite web|last=Hubert|first=Houben|title=Castel del Monte|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/castel-del-monte_(Federiciana)/|work=Federiciana|publisher=]|access-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> it also appears on the Italian version of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurocoins.co.uk/images1cents.html |title=Images of Euro Coins - 1 cent |website=www.eurocoins.co.uk |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>


==Location== ==Location==
] ]
Castel del Monte is situated on a small hill close to the ] of Santa Maria del Monte, at an altitude of 540&nbsp;m.<ref>{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=20}}</ref> When the castle was built, the region was famously fertile with a plentiful supply of water and lush vegetation.<ref name="Castex"/> It lies in the '']'' of ], ], occupying the site of an earlier fortress of which no structural remains exist. Castel del Monte is situated on a small hill close to the ] of Santa Maria del Monte, at an altitude of {{convert|540|m}}.<ref>{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=20}}</ref> When the castle was built, the region was famously fertile with a plentiful supply of water and lush vegetation.<ref name="Castex"/> It lies in the '']'' of ], ], occupying the site of an earlier fortress of which no structural remains exist.


The castle's construction is mentioned in only one contemporary source{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}, a document dating to 1240, in which ] ordered the governor of ] to finish some works in it.<ref name=federiciana/> It was never finished and there is no proof that the he used it as a hunting lodge as commonly stated.<ref name=federiciana/> It was later turned into a prison, used as a refuge during a plague, and finally fell into disrepair. It originally had marble walls and columns, but all were stripped by vandals or re-used in constructions nearby. A document dating to 1240, in which ] ordered the governor of ] to finish some works in the castle.<ref name=federiciana/> It was never finished and there is no proof that he used it as a hunting lodge as commonly thought.<ref name=federiciana/> It was later turned into a prison, used as a refuge during a plague, and finally fell into disrepair. It originally had marble walls and columns, but all were stripped by vandals or reused in constructions nearby.


==Description== ==Description==
] ]
Because of its relatively small size, it was once considered to be no more than a "hunting lodge", but scholars now believe it originally had a curtain wall and did serve as a citadel.<ref name="Hindley" /> Frederick was responsible for the construction of many castles in Apulia, but Castel del Monte's geometric design was unique.<ref name="Castex"/> The fortress is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. The towers were originally some 5&nbsp;m higher than now, and they should perhaps include a third floor.<ref name=federiciana/> Both floors have eight rooms and an eight-sided courtyard occupies the castle's centre.<ref>{{harvnb|Tuulse|2002|pp=60–61}}</ref> Each of the main rooms has vaulted ceilings. Three of the corner towers contain staircases. The castle has two entrances, an unobtrusive service entrance and an ornate main entrance. Frederick's main entrance featured elements from classical design, and may have been influenced by Frederick's interest in ].<ref name="Castex"/> Because of its relatively small size, it was once considered to be no more than a "]", but scholars now believe it originally had a ] and did serve as a ].<ref name="Hindley" /> Frederick II was responsible for the construction of many castles in Apulia, but Castel del Monte's geometric design was unique.<ref name="Castex"/> The fortress is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. The towers were originally some {{cvt|5|m}} higher than now, and they should perhaps include a third floor.<ref name=federiciana/>
Both floors have eight rooms, and an eight-sided courtyard occupies the castle's centre.<ref>{{harvnb|Tuulse|2002|pp=60–61}}</ref> Each of the main rooms has ] ceilings. Three of the corner towers contain staircases. The castle has two entrances, an unobtrusive service entrance and an ornate main entrance. Frederick II's main entrance featured elements from ] such a ] supported by rather thin ] ]s, and may have been influenced by Frederick II's interest in ].<ref name="Castex"/>


] ] head]]
The octagonal plan is unusual in castle design. Historians have debated the purpose of the building and it has been suggested that it was intended as a hunting lodge.<ref>{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=22}}</ref> Another theory is that the octagon is an intermediate symbol between a square (representing the earth) and a circle (representing the sky). Frederick II may have been inspired to build to this shape by either the ] in ], which he had seen during the ], or by the ] of ]. The octagonal plan is unusual in castle design. Historians have debated the purpose of the building and it has been suggested that it was intended as a hunting lodge.<ref>{{harvnb|Castex|2008|p=22}}</ref> Another theory is that the octagon is an intermediate symbol between a square (representing the earth) and a circle (representing the sky). Frederick II may have been inspired to build to this shape by either the ] in ], which he had seen during the ], or by the ] of ].


Occasionally used as a hunting lodge under ], the castle become a state prison under the latter's victor, ]: here Manfred's sons Henry, Azzo and Enzo were kept as prisoner after 1266, as well as other Hohenstaufen supporters.<ref name=federiciana/> Occasionally used as a hunting lodge under ], the castle become a state prison under the latter's victor, ]: here Manfred's sons Henry, Azzo and Enzo were kept as prisoner after 1266, as well as other Hohenstaufen supporters.<ref name=federiciana/>


The main wall is 25&nbsp;m high and the eight bastions each 26&nbsp;m. The sides of the main octagon are 16.5&nbsp;m long and those of the octagonal towers each 3.1&nbsp;m. The castle has a diameter of 56&nbsp;m. Its main entrance faces east. The main wall is {{cvt|25|m}} high and the eight bastions each {{cvt|26|m}}. The sides of the main octagon are {{cvt|16.5|m}} long and those of the octagonal towers each {{cvt|3.1|m}}. The castle has a diameter of {{cvt|56|m}}. Its main entrance faces east.

In 1226 Frederick II met ] in Pisa, and the geometry of the construction was highly influenced by the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abitarearoma.it/arte-e-matematica-al-bioparco-il-numero-aureo-negli-animali-a-cura-di-antonino-zichichi-e-victoria-noel-johnson/#google_vignette |title="Art and mathematics at the Bioparco, The Number Golden in animals", edited by Antonino Zichichi and Victoria Noel-Johnson |website=abitarearoma.it |date=2024-04-22 |language=it-IT |access-date=2024-05-12}}</ref>


==Modern era== ==Modern era==
⚫ ]
<!-- ] violation: ] of the 1-cent euro coin is a depiction of the Castel del Monte.]] --> <!-- ] violation: ] of the 1-cent euro coin is a depiction of the Castel del Monte.]] -->
In the 18th century, the castle's marbles and other ornamentation were looted. Members of the ] took the marble columns and window frames and reused them at their ].<ref name="Castex"/> What remains now includes fragments of a knight and a re-used Roman relief, while in the Provincial Gallery of Bari there are a head fragment and a cloaked, headless bust, sometimes interpreted as Frederick II.<ref name=federiciana/> After having been abandoned for a considerable length of time, the castle was purchased in 1876 for the sum of 25,000 lire by the Italian State, which began the process of restoration in 1928.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mondimedievali.net/Castelli/Puglia/bat/castel_del_monte.htm|title = Castel del Monte, Castelli della Puglia, provincia di Barletta Andria Trani, pag. 1}}</ref> In the 18th century, the castle's marbles and other ornamentation were looted. Members of the ] took the marble columns and window frames and reused them at their ].<ref name="Castex"/> What remains now includes fragments of a knight and a reused Roman relief, while in the Provincial Gallery of Bari there is a head fragment and a cloaked, headless bust, sometimes interpreted as Frederick II.<ref name=federiciana/> After having been abandoned for a considerable length of time, the castle was purchased in 1876 for the sum of 25,000 ] by the Italian State, which began the process of restoration in 1928.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mondimedievali.net/Castelli/Puglia/bat/castel_del_monte.htm |title=Castel del Monte, Castelli della Puglia, provincia di Barletta Andria Trani |website=www.mondimedievali.net |page=1}}</ref>


During the ], the United States ] headquartered a secret navigational aid station called ] at the Castel. During the ], the United States ] headquartered a secret navigational aid station called ] at the castle.


In the 1950s, soil around the castle was discovered to contain a bright red compound produced by a strain of the bacterium '']''. Scientists named the drug ] and further development identified a related compound ] that finds use as a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer.<ref>G. Cassinelli, "The roots of modern oncology: from discovery of new antitumor anthracyclines to their clinical use" ''Tumori'' '''3''':226-35 (Jun 2, 2016) {{doi|10.5301/tj.5000507}}</ref> In the 1950s, soil around the castle was discovered to contain a bright red compound produced by a strain of the bacterium '']''. Scientists named the drug ] and further development identified a related compound ] that finds use as a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer.<ref>G. Cassinelli, "The roots of modern oncology: from discovery of new antitumor anthracyclines to their clinical use" ''Tumori'' '''3''':226-35 (2 June 2016) {{doi|10.5301/tj.5000507}}</ref>


Central to the plot of ]'s novel '']'' is an old fortress known as the 'Aedificium'. This was almost certainly inspired by Castel del Monte.<ref>{{harvnb|Haft|White|1999|p=154}}</ref><ref>{{citation | title=Castel del Monte |publisher=in-italia.com |url=http://www.in-italia.com/texti_13.asp}}</ref> It was also the set for the film '']''. Central to the plot of ]'s novel '']'' is an old fortress known as the 'Aedificium'. This was almost certainly inspired by Castel del Monte.<ref>{{harvnb|Haft|White|1999|p=154}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Castel del Monte |publisher=in-italia.com |url=http://www.in-italia.com/texti_13.asp |website=www.in-italia.com |access-date=29 September 2008 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612042802/http://www.in-italia.com/texti_13.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was also the set for the film '']''.


⚫ The castle has been often mistakenly linked to the ] and it has been regarded as a "mysterious" construction even by notable historians. Italian historian ] often condemned those esoteric views and interpretations, stressing that Castel del Monte was just one of the castles of the fortification system developed by Frederick II, and it is not in any way linked to the Templars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/home/978450/morto-il-medioevalista-raffaele-licinio.html |title=Morto il medioevalista Raffaele Licinio |website=www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Prontuario contro gli stereotipi e le interpretazioni fanta-esoteriche su Castello del Monte |website=www.stupormundi.it) |url=http://www.stupormundi.it/it/prontuario-contro-gli-stereotipi-e-le-interpretazioni-fanta-esoteriche-su-castello-del-monte |ref=prontuario}}
In 1996 Castel del Monte was named a ] by ], which described it as "a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture".<ref>{{citation |last=World Heritage Committee |title=Report of the 20th Session, Merida 1996 |url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom96.htm#398}}</ref>
⚫ </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pugliareporter.com/2018/02/04/morto-prof-raffaele-licinio-esperto-castel-del-monte-del-medioevo/ |title=Morto il prof. Raffaele Licinio, esperto di Castel del Monte e del medioevo |website=www.pugliareporter.com |date=4 February 2018}}</ref>


⚫ ==Castel del Monte DOC wine==
Castel del Monte is depicted on the reverse of the ] ].
]


⚫ Around the castle is the ] region of Castel del Monte that produces red, white and '']'' wines. Most of the wines are blends but ] wines can be produced as long as at least 90% of the wine is composed of the same grape. The reds are usually a blend of 65–100% ], up to 35% of ], ], ] and ]. The ''roses'' include 65–100% Uva di Troia and/or ] with the other red ] filling out the rest. The whites are composed mainly of ] (65–100%) with other local white grape varieties filling out the rest.
⚫ The castle has been often mistakenly linked to the ] and it's been regarded as a "mysterious" construction even by notable historians. Italian historian ] often condemned those esoteric views and interpretations, stressing that Castel del Monte was just one of the castles of the fortification system developed by Frederick II, and it is not in any way linked to the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/home/978450/morto-il-medioevalista-raffaele-licinio.html|title = Morto il medioevalista Raffaele Licinio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Prontuario contro gli stereotipi e le interpretazioni fanta-esoteriche su Castello del Monte (article published on stupormundi.it) |url=http://www.stupormundi.it/it/prontuario-contro-gli-stereotipi-e-le-interpretazioni-fanta-esoteriche-su-castello-del-monte |ref=prontuario}}
⚫ </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pugliareporter.com/2018/02/04/morto-prof-raffaele-licinio-esperto-castel-del-monte-del-medioevo/|title=Morto il prof. Raffaele Licinio, esperto di Castel del Monte e del medioevo -|date=4 February 2018}}</ref>


Red and ''rose'' grapes are limited to a ] yield of 14 tonnes/] and must make a wine with a minimum of 12% ] (11% in the case of ''rose''). White wine grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 15 tonnes/ha and must make a wine with a minimum alcohol of 11%. If the wine is to be ] a '']'', the wine must be ] at least two years with one of those years in ]/wood and must have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%.<ref name="Saunders pg 135">P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pg 135 Firefly Books 2004 {{ISBN|1-55297-720-X}}</ref>
⚫ ==Castel del Monte DOC==
⚫ Around the castle, ] is the ] region of Castel del Monte that produces red, white and '']'' wines. Most of the wines are blends but ] wines can be produced as long as at least 90% of the wine is composed of the same grape. The reds are usually a blend of 65-100% ], up to 35% of ], ], ] and ]. The ''roses'' include 65-100% Uva di Troia and/or ] with the other red ] filling out the rest. The whites are composed mainly of ] (65-100%) with other local white grape varieties filling out the rest. Red and ''rose'' grapes are limited to a ] yield of 14 tonnes/ha and must make a wine with a minimum of 12% ] (11% in the case of ''rose''). White wine grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 15 tonnes/ha and must make a wine with a minimum alcohol of 11%. If the wine is to be ] a '']'', the wine must be ] at least two years with one of those years in ]/wood and must have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%.<ref name="Saunders pg 135">P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pg 135 Firefly Books 2004 {{ISBN|1-55297-720-X}}</ref>


==Gallery== ==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed"> <gallery mode="packed">
Castel del monte, esterno 05,0.jpg|
Castel del monte, esterno, portale principale 00.jpg|Entrance Castel del monte, esterno, portale principale 00.jpg|Entrance
Castel del Monte, Italy 15.jpg|Stairs inside the castle
Castel del monte, cortile 01.jpg|Courtyard Castel del monte, cortile 01.jpg|Courtyard
Castel del Monte BW 2016-10-14 13-04-18 stitch.jpg|View from the courtyard Castel del Monte BW 2016-10-14 13-04-18 stitch.jpg|View from the courtyard
Castel del monte, interno, finestra 01.jpg|Throne room Castel del monte, interno, finestra 01.jpg|Throne room
⚫ Castel del Monte von weitem.jpg|Remote view
Castel del monte, interno, stanze, camino 01.jpg|Fireplace remains Castel del monte, interno, stanze, camino 01.jpg|Fireplace remains
Castel del Monte 3 FoNo.jpg|Tower ceiling Castel del Monte 3 FoNo.jpg|Tower ceiling
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==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*] – an ancient Roman city gate said to share architectural references with the Castel del Monte<ref name="barbaresi232222223223">{{Cite journal |last1=Valdameri |first1=Carlo |year=2015 |title=Le torri poligonali |trans-title=The polygonal towers |url=https://www.rotaryrimini.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Ariminum-novembre-dicembre-2015-1-1.pdf |journal=Ariminum |series=November–December 2015 |language=it-IT |publisher=] |pages=16–17 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==Sources== ==Sources==
* {{citation |last=Castex |first=Jean |title=Architecture of Italy |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-313-32086-6}} * {{citation |last=Castex |first=Jean |title=Architecture of Italy |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-313-32086-6}}
* {{citation| title=The Key to "The Name of the Rose" |first1=Adele J. |last1=Haft |first2=Robert J. |last2=White |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1999 |isbn=0-472-08621-9}} * {{citation |title=The Key to "The Name of the Rose" |first1=Adele J. |last1=Haft |first2=Robert J. |last2=White |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1999 |isbn=0-472-08621-9}}
* {{citation |title=Castles of the Western World |first=Armin |last=Tuulse |year=2002 |orig-year=1958 |publisher=Dover Publications |pages= |isbn=0-486-42332-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/castlesofwestern0000tuul/page/60 }} * {{citation |title=Castles of the Western World |first=Armin |last=Tuulse |year=2002 |orig-year=1958 |publisher=Dover Publications |pages= |isbn=0-486-42332-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/castlesofwestern0000tuul/page/60 }}


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*{{citation |last=Götze |first=Heinz |title=Castel del Monte: geometric marvel of the Middle Ages |publisher=Prestel Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=978-3-7913-1930-8}} *{{citation |last=Götze |first=Heinz |title=Castel del Monte: geometric marvel of the Middle Ages |publisher=Prestel Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=978-3-7913-1930-8}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}
* Kurstjens, H. (2022), ''Castel del Monte, between Fact and Fiction. Apulia's Crown in Historical Perspective'',Soest 2022 ISBN 978-94-646-8237-3; and: ''Castel del Monte, tussen feit en fictie. De kroon van Apulië in historisch perspectief'', Boekscout, Soest 2022; ISBN|978-94-645-0437-8 * Kurstjens, H. (2022), '' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209052728/https://www.boekscout.nl/shop2/boek.php?bid=13946 |date=9 December 2022 }}'', Soest 2022 {{ISBN|978-94-646-8237-3}}; and: '' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131071347/https://www.boekscout.nl/shop2/boek.php?bid=12949 |date=31 January 2023 }}'', Boekscout, Soest 2022; {{ISBN|978-94-645-0437-8}}


==External links== ==External links==
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*{{in lang|en}}— *{{in lang|en}}—
*{{in lang|en}}— *{{in lang|en}}—
* UNESCO Collection on Google Arts and Culture
* *
* *
* *
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126102433/https://www.boekscout.nl/shop2/boek.php?bid=13946&language=en |date=26 November 2022 }}





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Latest revision as of 03:24, 11 December 2024

Medieval castle in Andria, Apulia, Italy

For other uses, see Castel del Monte (disambiguation).
Castel del Monte
Andria
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is located in ApuliaCastel del MonteCastel del MonteShow map of ApuliaCastel del Monte is located in ItalyCastel del MonteCastel del MonteShow map of Italy
Coordinates41°05′05″N 16°16′15″E / 41.0847535°N 16.2709346°E / 41.0847535; 16.2709346
Site history
Built1240–1250

Castel del Monte (Italian for "Castle of the Mountain"; Barese: Castìdde du Monte) is a 13th-century citadel and castle situated on a hill in Andria in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It was built during the 1240s by King Frederick II, who had inherited the lands from his mother Constance of Sicily. In the 18th century, the castle's interior marbles and remaining furnishings were removed. It has neither a moat nor a drawbridge and some considered it never to have been intended as a defensive fortress. However, archaeological work has suggested that it originally had a curtain wall.

The castle is famous for its bold octagonal plan, and classicizing details of the architecture. In 1996, Castel del Monte was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which described it as "a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture". Described by the Enciclopedia Italiana as "the most fascinating castle built by Frederick II", it also appears on the Italian version of the one cent Euro coin.

Location

Castel del Monte seen from above

Castel del Monte is situated on a small hill close to the monastery of Santa Maria del Monte, at an altitude of 540 metres (1,770 ft). When the castle was built, the region was famously fertile with a plentiful supply of water and lush vegetation. It lies in the comune of Andria, province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, occupying the site of an earlier fortress of which no structural remains exist.

A document dating to 1240, in which Frederick II ordered the governor of Capitanata to finish some works in the castle. It was never finished and there is no proof that he used it as a hunting lodge as commonly thought. It was later turned into a prison, used as a refuge during a plague, and finally fell into disrepair. It originally had marble walls and columns, but all were stripped by vandals or reused in constructions nearby.

Description

Octagonal plan of the castle.

Because of its relatively small size, it was once considered to be no more than a "hunting lodge", but scholars now believe it originally had a curtain wall and did serve as a citadel. Frederick II was responsible for the construction of many castles in Apulia, but Castel del Monte's geometric design was unique. The fortress is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. The towers were originally some 5 m (16 ft) higher than now, and they should perhaps include a third floor.

Both floors have eight rooms, and an eight-sided courtyard occupies the castle's centre. Each of the main rooms has vaulted ceilings. Three of the corner towers contain staircases. The castle has two entrances, an unobtrusive service entrance and an ornate main entrance. Frederick II's main entrance featured elements from classical architecture such a pediment supported by rather thin fluted pilasters, and may have been influenced by Frederick II's interest in Greco-Roman architecture.

Capital with faun head

The octagonal plan is unusual in castle design. Historians have debated the purpose of the building and it has been suggested that it was intended as a hunting lodge. Another theory is that the octagon is an intermediate symbol between a square (representing the earth) and a circle (representing the sky). Frederick II may have been inspired to build to this shape by either the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which he had seen during the Sixth Crusade, or by the Palatine Chapel of Aachen Cathedral.

Occasionally used as a hunting lodge under Manfred of Sicily, the castle become a state prison under the latter's victor, Charles I of Anjou: here Manfred's sons Henry, Azzo and Enzo were kept as prisoner after 1266, as well as other Hohenstaufen supporters.

The main wall is 25 m (82 ft) high and the eight bastions each 26 m (85 ft). The sides of the main octagon are 16.5 m (54 ft) long and those of the octagonal towers each 3.1 m (10 ft). The castle has a diameter of 56 m (184 ft). Its main entrance faces east.

In 1226 Frederick II met Leonardo Fibonacci in Pisa, and the geometry of the construction was highly influenced by the Fibonacci series and the Golden ratio.

Modern era

Rear and side view

In the 18th century, the castle's marbles and other ornamentation were looted. Members of the House of Bourbon took the marble columns and window frames and reused them at their palace in Caserta. What remains now includes fragments of a knight and a reused Roman relief, while in the Provincial Gallery of Bari there is a head fragment and a cloaked, headless bust, sometimes interpreted as Frederick II. After having been abandoned for a considerable length of time, the castle was purchased in 1876 for the sum of 25,000 lire by the Italian State, which began the process of restoration in 1928.

During the Allied occupation of World War II, the United States 15th Army Air Force headquartered a secret navigational aid station called Big Fence at the castle.

In the 1950s, soil around the castle was discovered to contain a bright red compound produced by a strain of the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius. Scientists named the drug daunorubicin and further development identified a related compound doxorubicin that finds use as a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer.

Central to the plot of Umberto Eco's novel The Name of the Rose is an old fortress known as the 'Aedificium'. This was almost certainly inspired by Castel del Monte. It was also the set for the film Tale of Tales.

The castle has been often mistakenly linked to the Knights Templar and it has been regarded as a "mysterious" construction even by notable historians. Italian historian Raffaele Licinio often condemned those esoteric views and interpretations, stressing that Castel del Monte was just one of the castles of the fortification system developed by Frederick II, and it is not in any way linked to the Templars.

Castel del Monte DOC wine

Vineyards, with the castle in the distance

Around the castle is the Italian DOC wine region of Castel del Monte that produces red, white and rose wines. Most of the wines are blends but varietal wines can be produced as long as at least 90% of the wine is composed of the same grape. The reds are usually a blend of 65–100% Uva di Troia, up to 35% of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Pinot noir and Aglianico. The roses include 65–100% Uva di Troia and/or Bombino nero with the other red grape varieties filling out the rest. The whites are composed mainly of Pampanuto (65–100%) with other local white grape varieties filling out the rest.

Red and rose grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 14 tonnes/ha and must make a wine with a minimum of 12% alcohol level (11% in the case of rose). White wine grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 15 tonnes/ha and must make a wine with a minimum alcohol of 11%. If the wine is to be labeled a Riserva, the wine must be aged at least two years with one of those years in oak/wood and must have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%.

Gallery

  • Entrance Entrance
  • Stairs inside the castle Stairs inside the castle
  • Courtyard Courtyard
  • View from the courtyard View from the courtyard
  • Throne room Throne room
  • Fireplace remains Fireplace remains
  • Tower ceiling Tower ceiling
360° panorama of Castel del Monte's courtyard

See also

References

  1. ^ Castex 2008, p. 21
  2. ^ Hindley, Geoffrey (1968), Castles of Europe, Great Buildings of the World, Feltham, Middlesex, England: Paul Hamlyn, p. 149, ISBN 978-0-600-01635-9
  3. 398rev list entry; World Heritage Committee, Report of the 20th Session, Merida 1996
  4. ^ Hubert, Houben. "Castel del Monte". Federiciana. Enciclopedia Italiana. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  5. "Images of Euro Coins - 1 cent". www.eurocoins.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  6. Castex 2008, p. 20
  7. Tuulse 2002, pp. 60–61
  8. Castex 2008, p. 22
  9. ""Art and mathematics at the Bioparco, The Number Golden in animals", edited by Antonino Zichichi and Victoria Noel-Johnson". abitarearoma.it (in Italian). 22 April 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  10. "Castel del Monte, Castelli della Puglia, provincia di Barletta Andria Trani". www.mondimedievali.net. p. 1.
  11. G. Cassinelli, "The roots of modern oncology: from discovery of new antitumor anthracyclines to their clinical use" Tumori 3:226-35 (2 June 2016) doi:10.5301/tj.5000507
  12. Haft & White 1999, p. 154
  13. "Castel del Monte", www.in-italia.com, in-italia.com, archived from the original on 12 June 2009, retrieved 29 September 2008
  14. "Morto il medioevalista Raffaele Licinio". www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it.
  15. "Prontuario contro gli stereotipi e le interpretazioni fanta-esoteriche su Castello del Monte". www.stupormundi.it).
  16. "Morto il prof. Raffaele Licinio, esperto di Castel del Monte e del medioevo". www.pugliareporter.com. 4 February 2018.
  17. P. Saunders Wine Label Language pg 135 Firefly Books 2004 ISBN 1-55297-720-X
  18. Valdameri, Carlo (2015). "Le torri poligonali" [The polygonal towers] (PDF). Ariminum. November–December 2015 (in Italian). Rimini Rotary Club: 16–17. Retrieved 16 February 2024.

Sources

Further reading

External links

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