This castle was built under King Roger II in the 12th century. Roger II was a Norman king (= from the North). And this castle was initially built so that the Normans could protect themselves from the inhabitants of Bari who contested their presence. It was modified several times and enlarged until the 16th century. It was used as barracks and then as a prison. The place is worth visiting even if the entrance fee is quite high. Allow one hour for the visit.

This is an imposing castle with centuries of history. Built by the Normans, rebuilt by a German crusader monarch, Frederick of Swabia, it then fell into the hands of the Aragonese rulers of Naples. Clear? You will need quite a while to walk around it and see all the displays and different rooms. However, beware the heat! Despite the thick walks and high ceilings the interior does get very warm in summer. There is absolutely nowhere to sit down and no water available to drink. My advice is: take your own water. And take plenty.

We were here on 16-08-24 and could not miss the footprint of Frederick II of Swabia who in 1223 reconstructed, the already existing Castle wanted by Roger the Norman in 1131 (hence a part of the name), this building that was completely destroyed in 1156. Today as a thousand years ago, the Norman Swabian Castle stands out over the old city of Bari, protecting its main entrance, and from here dominates the sea. It is the headquarters of the Superintendence for Architectural and Historical Environmental Heritage of Puglia and is one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Italy. The building consists of two distinct parts: the Keep, the one rebuilt by Frederick II, includes two of the original towers, while the other part includes the bulwarks and other towers added in 1500. A bridge over the moat welcomes visitors at the entrance: a Gothic portal and a Renaissance courtyard overlook the interior. On the ground floor the Castle houses a gipsoteca with some casts of the most important monuments of Puglia. To visit absolutely. Hello from Roby and Lucy S. Anastasia (Na)

The Fortress of the Suevos in Bari is an imposing structure that offers a fascinating look at the past. Its sturdy walls and towers provide insight into the strategic importance of this castle during the Middle Ages. In addition, the interior houses exhibitions and artifacts that enrich the visit. It is a perfect place for history and architecture enthusiasts.

This castle with its imposing and majestic structure is certainly worth a visit. We did the visit without a guide but the environments are well organized and therefore you can even go around alone. In some spaces there are interactive activities and screens that project the history and vicissitudes of the castle. A tour not to be missed!

The castle was in excellent condition. I'm not sure why, but we were allowed to enter for free (Sunday in July). Inside they have a couple of multi media presentations on the history of the region and the fort, as well as some dig sites and artifacts.

We didn't go in to see the museum inside the castle. There were many groups of tourists outside but almost no one came in, which led us to give up paying 9 euros for the ticket. On the outside, the castle resembles the Castle of St. George, in Lisbon, and this was another factor for us to decide not to enter.

This castle has a long and complicated history and there is not much of the story visible above ground but the curators have done a wonderful job explaining the multiple layers of history and making the castle come alive through audio-visual presentations everywhere. A corner of history that I knew nothing about. Not exactly a 'must see' but very enjoyable if you are interested in history.