The castle then and now: a brief history of the restorations

Due to the particular climatic conditions of the site and the progressive deterioration of the materials and structures, Castel del Monte has periodically needed maintenance and restoration interventions.

Already in 1269, Charles I of Anjou ordered the restoration of the cisterns for collecting rainwater and, in 1277, the strengthening of the existing defense systems.

The restoration work evidenced by the inscriptions in the courtyard dates back to 1566, carried out by Mastro Pace on commission from Don Giovanni de China of Barletta.

A longer period of abandonment of the castle around the 17th century saw the looting of the precious marble slabs, mosaic floors and decorative devices.

Since the purchase of Castel del Monte by the Italian State in 1876, numerous restoration interventions have taken place - almost continuously - to guarantee the conservation of the structure. The first urgent interventions, which affected the terrace and the wall structures, date back to 1879. The most recent restorations, however, took place between 1975 and 1981, with a further and substantial consolidation intervention on the curtain walls, which are still subject to periodic maintenance.