Photos of the Enigmatic Castel Del Monte Apulia Architecture

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Photos of the Beautiful Medieval Romanesque Castel del Monte Apulia Architecture . Built 1240 by King Frederick II The Great. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Castel del Monte Apulia Architecture

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Photos of the medieval Castel Del Monte ( Castle on the Mount ) situated near Adria in the Apulia region in southern Italy.

Castel del Monte Apulia

Castel del Monte is situated onto of a hill above the plains of Apulia. It is known that it was ordered to be built by Emperor Frederick II in the 1240’s but, the reason for its unique octagonal design has been lost in the mists of time.

The lack of moat and outer defensive curtain wall suggests that Castel Del Monte was built as a hunting lodge for Frederick II.

Castel del Monte & the Number 8

n the design of Castel del Monte the number 8 is significant. Castel Del Monte has eight outer walls with an octagonal courtyard in the middle. At the corners of each octagon is an octagonal tower.

It has been suggested that the octagonal shape of Castel Del Monte may have been inspired by the octagonal Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which Frederick would have seen during the sixth crusade.

Others suggest that as the first cubic number (2 x 2 x 2), eight is considered the perfect number. The use of the octagon in religious architecture is because the number 8 is symbolic of renewal. 8 has many other religious significances: In the story of Noahs arc there are 8 survivors: In the Bible circumcisions take place on the 8th day.

Whatever the reason for the octagonal design of Castel del Monte it remains one of the most enigmatic medieval castles in Europe.

In the 18th century, the castle’s marbles and other ornamentation were looted. The Bourbon rulers of Apulia took the marble columns and window frames and reused them at their great palace in Caserta.

Castel del Monte UNESCO World Heritage Site

The unique nature of Castel Del Monte is recognised in its UNESCO World Heritage Status. It is describe as follows. ” In its formal perfection and its harmonious blending of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity, Castel del Monte is a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture, reflecting the humanism of its founder, Frederick II of Hohenstaufen.”