Skip menu

Castello Conti Acquaviva D'Aragona

Overview

Built around 1054 by the Normans for defence purposes, the Aragonese Castle became the home of the Acquaviva Counts and was later transformed into a pleasant stately residence through several alterations. The ancient megalithic walls, dating from the 6th-4th centuries BC, are still visible at the base of the Torre Maestra, the only surviving example of a Norman tower.
The trapezoidal plan is distinguished by four towers in the corners: the Maestra or Norman tower, about 25 metres high, composed of regular limestone ashlars and started in the 11th century by the first Count of Conversano Goffredo Altavilla the Norman, another tower similar to the previous one, smaller in size, with elegant Gothic windows and a belvedere embellished with arches, the cylindrical tower, which became the symbol of Conversano, replacing one of the four quadrangular towers of the castle, the polygonal tower built by Andrea Matteo Acquaviva, son of Giulio Antonio. The latter has a peculiar shoe shape, with slightly sloping walls to cushion artillery shots, a crenelated top suitable for cannon mouths and narrow slits along the sides for the placement of ammunition. Opposite the polygonal tower, the original drawbridge is found.
Outside, the façade is adorned with windows and balconies dating back to the 19th century. On the inside, the castle houses the Municipal Art Gallery, with 17th-century paintings from Finoglio's "Jerusalem Delivered" cycle, the Francesco Netti Art Gallery, an exhibition of historical clothing entitled "Nuptials at the Castle", a space for temporary exhibitions and a conference room. Disabled access is from Piazza Conciliazione.

Hours

Sunday
09:00 am-01:00 pm
04:00 pm-08:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday - Saturday
09:00 am-01:00 pm
04:00 pm-08:00 pm
Reviews
Reviews
()
Ordina per
Castello Conti Acquaviva D'Aragona
Corso Domenico Morea, 70014 Conversano BA, Italia
Call +390804958525

Related articles

City
Bari

Discovering Bari, an unexpected meeting point between East and West

Region
TRICASE | Puglia

Apulia, pulsing heart of the Mediterranean, cradle of ancient civilisations and with a spectacular sea

UNESCO
627087300

Alberobello, the Trulli capital, a fairy tale experience

City
Lecce: the beautiful sun-kissed city among the white stones

Lecce: the beautiful sun-kissed city among the white stones

UNESCO
Castel del Monte: the fortress of mysteries in Andria

Castel del Monte: the fortress of mysteries in Andria

Art and culture
184988187

2 days in Lecce: the itinerary

Spirituality
The Sanctuary of Padre Pio

The Sanctuary of Padre Pio

Nature
Santa Maria di Leuca

Santa Maria di Leuca

Food and wine
Puglia, all the colours of a top cuisine

Puglia, all the colours of a top cuisine

Nature

Puglia's coasts: the thousand faces of a sea to fall in love with

Nature
464451044

The enchanting crystalline sea of the Zagare Bay in the Gargano district

Leisure
Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea

Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea

Art and culture
Puglia: along the Via Francigena between castles and basilicas

Puglia: along the Via Francigena between castles and basilicas

Business
brindisi world hub for digital nomads

Brindisi is the world hub for digital nomads in Italy

Event
32 locations and 18 exhibitions: PhEST Monopoli enchants with the photography of the future

32 locations and 18 exhibitions: PhEST Monopoli enchants with the photography of the future

Sport
adriatic sea forum

Adriatic Sea Forum, disembark in Puglia and admire the beauty of Bari

Food and wine
Olive Oil: Apulia's Green Gold

Olive Oil: Apulia's Green Gold

Tourist destination
lecce bike tour cookery courses

The truest soul of Lecce, with bike tours, cooking classes and home-cooked meals

Nature
Spiaggia della Scialara

Scialara beach, the number-one location on the Gargano coast

Itinerary
apulia fuori rotta

Apulia Fuori Rotta, 5 unusual stops for a surprising itinerary

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.