← Barletta Marathon·Day trip

Castel del Monte: Frederick II's Octagon

A UNESCO hilltop castle with eight towers and an octagonal plan, open through the winter, reached by a short train ride and a bus or taxi from Andria.

DurationDay trip
TransitTrain to Andria, then bus or taxi to the castle, about 19 km
DepartsBarletta

After the Barletta Marathon: Castel del Monte

The Route: Barletta → Andria → Castel del Monte → Andria → Barletta Logistics: A short regional train to Andria, then a bus or taxi up onto the Murge plateau. Plan the last leg before you leave. Marathon Month: February Duration: Day trip

Barletta ──(about 15 mins train)──> Andria ──(bus or taxi, 19 km)──> Castel del Monte
   ▲                                                                      │
   └──────────────(same route back)◄──────────────────────────────────────┘

The Barletta Marathon is on a Sunday, so Monday is the natural day for a trip. Castel del Monte is the best-known building in Puglia and it is open in the off-season, unlike many attractions on the coast.

February in Puglia's Murge: the castle stands at about 540 metres on an exposed limestone plateau, so it is colder and windier than Barletta, often several degrees lower. Bring a proper coat and gloves. Mist and rain are possible, and the visit is mostly outdoors between the car park and the entrance.

Trains run from Barletta to Andria on the Ferrotramviaria line in roughly 15 minutes; check the timetable at ferrotramviaria.it, since Monday frequency differs from Sunday. From Andria the castle is 19 kilometres away. An urban bus links the town and the castle, but the winter frequency is limited and the seasonal shuttle may not run in February, so check the Andria bus operator's timetable, or agree a return price with a taxi at the station.

The castle

Frederick II built it in the 13th century, with an octagonal plan and an octagonal tower at each corner. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Tickets are €10 for an adult, and winter hours run from 09:00 to 17:45, with the last entry at 17:00; the castle closes on 25 December and 1 January. These are figures to treat as a guide, so confirm them on the official Puglia tourism page before you go.

Inside, two floors of eight rooms surround an octagonal courtyard, and the towers contain spiral staircases. Stairs are the difficulty here. A tired runner can see most of the ground floor without climbing, and the exterior view of the octagon is the point. The approach from the car park to the entrance is a short uphill walk on a paved path, so allow time.

Getting back

Do not rely on hitching a lift at the end of the day. Book the return taxi or confirm the last bus, and allow time for the train from Andria to Barletta.