Trani Swabian Castle

The Swabian castle network

Frederick II of Swabia’s fame derives largely from the castles he built, located on the basis of a rational programme of military defence and territorial management which also meant keeping a functional relationship with the pre-existing Roman road network. In most cases his castles were not built from scratch but involved renovation work on Norman remains.

The rigour of the layout and the strong connotation of figurative repertoires left such a mark on the pre-existing structures as to almost completely cancel them out. Frederick's castle system consisted of a dense network of settlements in which the castra were integrated with other structures in order to guarantee grassroots control, both military and operational, of the entire territory: from the coastline to the hinterland of the Province of Basilicata.

Defensive structure par excellence

Strongly desired by Frederick II as a stronghold for defence for the Kingdom of Sicily – a legacy of his mother, Constance of Altavilla - the castle was built between 1233 and 1249 to a design by the military engineer Filippo Cinardo. Built in a rocky, low-lying area giving directly on to the sea, it provided a perfect point of defence against both natural and warlike assaults. Its structure derives from the castles built by the Crusaders in the Holy Land, in turn based on the typical layout of Roman castra: rectangular plan with four towers of equal size at the apexes.

Even after passing into the hands of the Angevins, the Aragonese and the private Alberico da Barbiano, the castle always maintained its defensive purpose and original structure until the 16th century, when the advent of gunpowder made it necessary to adapt it to artillery attacks. The defensive purpose was only abandoned when it became the seat of the Sacred Royal Audience of Bari (1586-1677) and when it was used as a prison (19th century - 1974).

An interweaving of periods

The visit offers a clear idea of the succession of events, dynasties and purposes that modified the Castle over the years until it took on its present-day appearance. The itinerary on the first floor begins in the Frederick Room and the Manfredi Room, continuing to the outdoor areas and the quayside, and concluding on the outdoor promenade with its panoramic view of the sea.

Representative elements of these transformations are preserved in the rooms on the first floor and in the spaces of the castle where there is, among others, a marble inscription dating back to 1233 certifying the beginning of the fortification work ordered by Frederick II. On the second floor of the castle, part of the art collection of Queen Margaret of Savoy is currently on public display. It was inaugurated in October 2022 and will remain at the castle for the next three years.

Distinguished and unusual guests

Since its foundation, the castle has provided the stage for several important events. The favourite son of Frederick II and his mistress Bianca Lancia, Manfredi, chose it for his wedding with Elena Ducas; the same was done by the Angevin ruler Charles I for his wedding with Margaret of Burgundy and later by his son Philip for his own wedding with Isabelle de Villehardouin.

But these rooms have also witnessed tragic events: some sources narrate that Frederick II had the son of the Doge of Venice, Jacopo Tiepolo, hanged here, while years later it was the scene of the sad fate of Countess Sifridina of Caserta (locked up in the dungeon after plotting against the Angevin dynasty), whose unfortunate affair led to the legend of Armida who, murdered by her husband, wandered the rooms of the castle in search of her lost love.