Built by Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, the castle stands, proud and solitary, on the summit of a hill overlooking a plain some 29km south of Barletta. Made out of pale-coloured stone, it features an octagonal plan, each angle of which is strengthened by an octagonal tower. A superb Gothic gateway, reminiscent of antiquity, leads into an inner courtyard, around which are arranged eight trapezoidal chambers with pointed vaulting. Above, a further eight identical rooms are lit by delicately ornamented rooms.