Castle of Barletta

The castle of Barletta is the architectural result of various stratifications due to the succession of different ruling dynasties from the 11th century to the 18th century. Once a fortress for defensive purposes, surrounded by the sea that occupied the moat all around the castle and insulated it from potential enemy attacks, it constitutes a strategic point in city life as well as an important urban core. It is home to the Municipal Library, the Civic Museum and a conference and exhibition hall. Among the works preserved, in addition to an alleged limestone bust of Frederick II of Swabia, dating back to the 13th century, the Sarcophagus of the Apostles, the first stone high relief to bear witness to Christianity in Barletta, dating from the period between the 3rd and 4th centuries, is located here.