Castel del Monte is situated on a small hill close to the monastery of Santa Maria del Monte, at an altitude of 540 metres (1,770 ft). When the castle was built, the region was famously fertile with a plentiful supply of water an… See more

Because of its relatively small size, it was once considered to be no more than a "hunting lodge", but scholars now believe it originally had a curtain wall and did serve as a citadel. Frederick II was responsible for the constru… See more

In the 18th century, the castle's marbles and other ornamentation were looted. Members of the House of Bourbon took the marble columns and window frames and reused them at their palace in Caserta. What remai… See more

Around the castle is the Italian DOC wine region of Castel del Monte that produces red, white and rose wines. Most of the wines are blends but varietal wines can be produced as long as at least 90% of the wine is co… See more

• Cultural depictions of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
• Arch of Augustus (Rimini) – an ancient Roman city gate said to share architectural references with the Castel del Monte … See more