Bisceglie Castle was originally a tower built around 1060-1070 by Normans and enlarged in the 13th century by Swabian counts. The tower was made later higher by the Angevines. Originally the castle was a four-sided building with five towers; today there are three towers left. The North-East tower is adjacent to the 12th century St Giovanni in Castro Church, which was included in the castle as its chapel during the Angevin time. Today the castle hosts an ethnographic museum.
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. The basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s, and much of the structure to 1140-43. The first sanctuary was built in 221 and 227 by Pope Callixtus I and later completed by Pope Julius I.
The inscription on the episcopal throne states that this is the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, although some claim that privilege belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Christian house-church was founded here about 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I (217-222) on the site of the Taberna meritoria, a refuge for retired soldiers. The area was made available for Christian use by Emperor Alexander Severus when he settled a dispute between the Christians and tavern-keepers.
The church underwent two restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries and in 1140-43 it was re-erected on its old foundations under Pope Innocent II.