Courtyard: The Octagonal Court

Ideal core of the entire structure, the courtyard has an octagonal shape and stands out for the chromatic contrast between coral breccia, limestone and marble. The masonry was once decorated with sculptural reliefs; the court, accessible via three portals on the ground floor, is overlooked by numerous windows and three French windows on the upper floor. A suspended wooden walkway must have connected the rooms on the upper floor through the latter, without railings or balustrades, as evidenced by the stone supports still visible on the walls. Fragments of the sculptural decoration are sparse: a knight and an equestrian scene from the Roman era, the result of reuse of more ancient works. Some inscriptions can be recognized on the walls, including one dating back to 1566, mentioning the "magister" Pace Surdo of Barletta, responsible for the renovation works, and the dukes of Carafa, owners of the castle at that time. A cistern for collecting rainwater, for everyday use within the castle, is located under the central area of the courtyard.