Built over an existing castle in 1668, this imposing baroque palace has had a multitude of functions over the years, and is now the office of the civic government. You can wander through the worn silk-panelled doors connecting the upper rooms, admiring the semi-restored frescoes on the walls or the contemporary art of temporary exhibitions. There's also a small museum dedicated to the nearby natural park of Bosco delle Pianelle.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Rione Aia Piccola

7.51 MILES

On the eastern side of Via Indipendenza is Rione Aia Piccola. This neighbourhood is much less commercialised than Rione Monti, with 400 trulli, many still…

2. Rione Monti

7.65 MILES

Within the old town quarter of Rione Monti more than 1000 trulli cascade down the hillside, many of which are now souvenir shops. The area is surprisingly…

3. Trullo Sovrano

7.87 MILES

Trullo Sovrano dates in parts to the early 17th century­, and is Alberobello's only two-floor trullo. Built by a wealthy priest’s family, it’s now a small…

6. Cathedral

12.76 MILES

Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Ostuni's dramatic 15th-century cathedral has an unusual Gothic-Romanesque-Byzantine facade with a frilly…

7. Grotte di Castellana

15.48 MILES

These spectacular limestone caves, 40km southeast of Bari, are Italy's longest natural subterranean network. The interlinked galleries, first discovered…

8. Museo Speleologico Franco Anelli

15.51 MILES

This cave museum connected to the famous Grotte di Castellana exhibits geological specimens and delves deeply into the speleological world. It's named for…