The Swabian Castle in Trani is launching its new multimedia and experiential tour, which revitalizes the visitor experience at one of Puglia’s most iconic landmarks. Unveiled on June 19, 2026, the project is the result of a comprehensive program to enhance the complex’s historical and artistic heritage, based on conservation, cataloging, digitization, and the redevelopment of its spaces. The initiative, conceived and coordinated by architect Anita Guarnieri, is part of a broader cultural enhancement strategy and has led to the creation of three new permanent installations designed by the Milan-based firm Dotdotdot, which specializes in creating narrative experiences and interactive environments for museums and cultural sites.
Funded with approximately 1.5 million euros through funds from the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) initiative “Improving Conditions and Standards of Provision and Access through Digital Heritage,” as part of the National Operational Program “Culture and Development” ERDF 2014–2020, as well as through resources from Special Law 190/2014 dedicated to “Extraordinary maintenance work, regulatory compliance of facilities, and exhibition design,” the project has not only improved accessibility and the quality of the visitor experience but has also offered new perspectives on a monument that preserves centuries of history and a rich heritage of medieval artifacts.
The three installations address different themes that are closely linked to the castle’s identity:the castle’s millennia-oldarchitecture, the medieval bestiary, and the relationship between the monument and the sea. Each installation was developed with respect for the historical and architectural characteristics of the spaces that house it, integrating technology with the narrative.
The tour begins in the northeast bastion, where visitors, accompanied by staff from DRMN Puglia, SABAP BAT-FG, and Dotdotdot, can explore the castle througha multisensory experience that combines touch, images, and audio content. A tactile reproduction of the 18th-century model of the fortress allows visitors to discover its structure, while an interactive table enables them to virtually navigate through the different historical periods and areas of the complex. Furthermore, six 3D-printed reproductions trigger audiovisual content projected onto the tower’s vaulted ceiling and narrated by actor and voice actor Fabrizio Vidale.
The Manfredi Hall houses the medieval bestiary, where stone fragments depicting dragons, griffins, lions, and other fantastical creatures interact with a large projection dedicated to the symbolic animals of medieval folklore. The installation offers various levels of interpretation and engagement, giving younger visitors the chance to create their own mythical creature through an interactive experience that combines words, images, and creativity. The creatures designed by visitors are digitally rendered and projected into the exhibition space, creating an ideal connection with the sculpted decorations found in the castle, the cathedral, and other historic buildings in the area.
The final installation is housed in the ancient stables, where the sea takes center stage in an immersive experience. A large generative projection, created entirely through algorithms and computer code, transforms the wall into a constantly shifting marine surface. Accompanied by a three-dimensional soundscape, the narrative evolves from calm to storm, eventually revealing a digital reconstruction of the castle’s façade gradually engulfed by waves. Floor-based video mapping also integrates the exhibited artifacts into the narrative, without resorting to traditional didactic displays.
The project also introduces significant innovations in the layout of the spaces. In the Federico II Hall, a system of exhibition ramps allows for a new way of experiencing the collections and opens up previously unseen views of the sea. A new metal walkway and the reopening of the Porta a Mare, meanwhile, provide access to a balcony overlooking the castle’s north facade, offering a striking view of the Mediterranean and the famous cathedral of Trani.
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| The Swabian Castle in Trani is launching a new multimedia and experiential tour |
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