Castel del Monte is one of the most fascinating places in Italy, one of those destinations worth visiting. Built around 1240 by Frederick II, the castle stands on the top of a hill in Andria overlooking the Murgia valley on one side and offering a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea on the other. It is an unusual shape with an octagonal floor plan and octagonal towers at each corner. In 1996, UNESCO added Castel del Monte to its list of World Heritage Sites both for its architectural beauty and for the mystery that still surrounds it.