Trani Castle

Trani has lost its old city walls and bastions, but the 13th-century fort has been extensively restored as a museum and performance venue and is open to the public. 

The castle was commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia in 1230. It was completed three years later, although consolidation of the structure continued for a further fifteen years. Like many other castles, it was modified in the 16th century when Charles V reinforced the defensive structure by adding two bastions equipped with fire arms.

The Castle, with its quadrangular base, is one of the finest existing examples of Swabian defensive architecture. Originally featuring square-base towers on each corner and a central courtyard, it was later fortified with the addition of an external wall. It stands by the sea and was, in the past, directly linked to the water. It used to have a wooden drawbridge.

Address
Piazza Re Manfredi 16, Trani, Italy

Established
1230