Location segnalata da: Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici della Puglia
The Norman- Castle of Bari, is an imposing fortress that stands on the edge of the old city.
Archeological find, dating back to Roman-Greek, led to establish the existence of the fortress already to ancient times. Both in the Satires of Horace (I, 5, 96-97) and in the Annals of Tacitus (XVI, 2, 7-9) it mentions the existence, in ancient Barium, of fortified place whose location could coincide with existent castle or, more likely, with the Byzantine Kastron (Catapano Court of the Basilica of San Nicola).
The mediaeval fortifications probably dates back to 1132. The building, built by the Norman King Ruggero II, was destroyed in 1156 by the inhabitants and rebuilt as early as 1233, when Emperor Frederick II ordered the rebuilding and strengthening. After many changes in the Angevin and than owned by Ferdinand of Aragon, was later donated to Sforza family. They arranged the expansion of the fortress that afterpassed in the hands of his daughter Bona, queen of Poland, who died there in 1557.
Later the construction, was taken over by the King of Naples, was used as a prison and barracks.
Today the castle is surrounded by the ancient moat that runs along three sides with the exception of the northern strip, once washed by the sea, beyond the moat there is a wall of defense, from Aragonese period, which stands on a large corner bastion. The castle access is from the south side, crossing the bridge over the moat and entered the courtyard between the bastions and Norman block.
