Andria, a provincial capital along with Barletta and Trani, is famous for the fortress that Frederick II built, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for its gourmet products.

Andria is a city and comune in Apulia. It is an agricultural and service center, producing wine, olives and almonds. It is the fourth-largest municipality in the Apulia region (behind Bari, Taranto, and Foggia) and the largest municipality of the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.ŽIt is known for the 13th-century Castel del Monte.

Higlights

Standing in solitary splendour and dominating the surrounding countryside, Castel del Monte is one of Europe’s most beautiful castles. The fortress was constructed according to emperor Frederick II’s taste, and its grandeur and eccentric style reflect the personality of the man known as the “Stupor Mundi” (“Wonder of the World”).

The oldest places of worship include the Church of Sant’Agostino, birthplace of the Knights Templar, and the Norman-era Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

Make sure you take a gastronomic tour to discover the city’s gourmet specialties, from the Museo del Confetto to the trattorias, where you can try the excellent local burrata. To enjoy performances by the new talents of contemporary theatre, come in August for the Festival Castel dei Mondi. 

Museo del Confetto, della Caramella e del Cioccolato, an original confectionary museum where you can treat yourself to sinful tastes of “tenerelli,” made with Pugliese almonds, and other deliciously sweet tidbits. The pride of the regional cheese production is Andria’s famous burrata, small bags of stretched-curd cheese knotted at the top and filled with mozzarella and cream.

Main sights

Porta Sant’Andrea.The 13th-century church of Sant’Agostino.Torre dell’orologio.

Andria was a favorite residence of Emperor Frederick II, who built the imposing 13th-century Castel del Monte about 15 km south of the city center; it is one of the most famous Italian castles, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Other sights include:

• The 12th-century cathedral, which has a 7th-century crypt
• The Ducal Palace, a fortified residence renovated in the 16th century
• San Domenico (14th century, largely renovated in the following centuries). Church contains a bust of Duke Francesco II Del Balzo attributed to Francesco Laurana, and a 16th-century wooden sculpture of the Madonna with Child.
• Sant’Agostino, church built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, who originally dedicated it to one of their patrons, Saint Leonard. The church was later handed over to the Benedictines, and rebuilt by the Augustinians after the sieges of 1350. The main points of interests are the Gothic-style gates, with precious reliefs and crests of the Del Balzo and Anjou families, as well as the Teutonic eagles.
• San Francesco, church and monastery with its cloister (12th century)
• The Communal Palace
• Santa Maria dei Miracoli (16th century), Sanctuary basilica 2 kilometres (1 mile) from Andria, housing a venerated Byzantine icon from the 9th-10th centuries. The basilica is on three different levels. The lower, and most ancient, comprises a hall with a nave and two aisles, with decoration showing stories from Genesis. The middle level (Tempietto) has three arcades in polychrome marbles, and is home to the Byzantine icon. The upper level, the 18th century basilica designed by Cosimo Fanzago, is preceded by another church, dedicated to the Holy Crucifix and decorated with frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ.
• San Nicola di Myra, 12th century church, with subsequent refurbishments
• The church of the Holy Cross (9th century). It has a nave and two aisles, separated by four pilasters. The crypt was dug in a tuff rock and includes some natural grottoes.
• The church of Santa Maria di Porta Santa (13th century).