Discover the most significant medieval monument in southern Italy on a 1-hour guided tour of Castel del Monte. Situated in Andria in the Puglia region, the citadel and castle is a national treasure and beauty to behold. Built on top of a hill with commanding views of the Puglia region, Castel del Monte is the most important building built by the Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia. Explore the monument’s myths and legends, including the meaning of the number 8. After years of neglect, when the castle was stripped of its furniture and marble decorations to become a refuge for shepherds, brigands and political refugees, Castel del Monte was bought and restored by the Italian state in 1876. Almost a century later, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the perfection of its shape and harmonious union of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Islamic world, and classical antiquity. Explore the castle’s façades and interior, and learn the historical context in which it was built.

Explore one of the most famous buildings in Bari, the Norman-Swabian Castle, known for its extensive moat. Go inside this 13th-century castle which has been converted into a museum with your tour guide. Admire the exhibits of jewelry on display and appreciate the sculptures in the Gipsoteca. Enter the castle with your guide, who specializes in art history. Then, explore the castle to see the central courtyard and the three stone towers outside. Next, go into the Gipsoteca in the west wing of the castle, where you can see plaster copies of famous sculptures and carvings of monuments. Marvel at these works of art, which were created by Mario Sabatelli and Pasquale Duretti in 1911 to commemorate 50 years of Italian unity. Also, see the exhibits of ceramic tableware, which were excavated from the east wing of the castle. See jewelry in the Minorenni Tower and tour the Norman room.

Visit the St. Nicholas Basilica in Bari, an important pilgrimage destination. Admire the sculptures above the entrance and then step inside to witness the amazing art on the ceiling, which is adorned with paintings. Follow your guide to the underground crypt that houses the relics of Saint Nicholas. Start outside and see the wide limestone facade decorated with many ornamental details, including the sculptures above the Portal of the Lions. Then, go inside the church and observe the granite columns as you walk under the arches which separate the presbytery from the rest of the church. Next, admire the carved and gilded ceiling, decorated with 17th-century paintings. Afterward, descend to the crypt, an underground church that contains the relics of Saint Nicholas, whose remains rest here. This crypt inspired the legend of a Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus on the cross.