Conversano Castle The Castle of Conversano is located on the highest point of the hill on which the city stands in a position able to dominate the whole surrounding territory to the sea , and borders the old " Largo della Corte " , a large irregularly shaped square always at the heart of the city life . History . The castle was the residence of the Counts of Conversano for almost seven centuries , ever since Norman times . Yet his story is much older , probably already at the time of Gothic War ( 535 – 554 ) on the same place there was a defense building , which embraced a part of the megalithic walls of the ancient city of Norba . Certainly the first Normans feudal lords in the 11th century imposed the reconstruction of a castle on the ruins of the former . Of the original Norman core is preserved today a tower with a square base , known as the " Torre Maestra " and a fresco on the original vault entry , depicting the saints Cosmas and Damian . Later , important extension works were made , among others , from the Counts Luxembourg ( 14th century ) who promoted the building of high circular tower at the north , right where the ridge of the acropolis became steeper . Around 1460 , the Acquaviva built a twelve - sided tower base , more squat and with the embankment type walls , particularly daring from the engineering point of view : inside it , there is a round tank with a corridor around it equipped with drains , which are essential to defend the city . The following centuries saw the further transformation of the building that was gradually losing the character of the manor to configure itself as an elegant mansion , suitable to the prestige of the powerful feudal lords . The current entrance is opening along the wall on " Piazza Conciliazione " , built in 1710 at the behest of the Countess Dorotea Acquaviva . Is possible to access a courtyard which in turn provides access to the late Renaissance porch . Further work on building complex have followed one another until the late 19th century . The castle is currently only partially a municipal asset , while some wings - including the bridal chamber decorated with scenes from the Old Testament of Paolo Finoglio - are still private property . The public area of the building now houses the civic art gallery displaying paintings of the great cycle of the " Gerusalemme Liberata " always by Finoglio . Structure . Cylindrical Tower . It is the only tower of the castle built , although the most impressive in size , of the same type plan of the other smaller cylindrical towers leaning against the 15th century walls of Conversano . The Tower was added to the northern corner , perhaps replacing an earlier square tower , the rearmost of which traces are found only in the layout of the Castle . It is the result of an intervention of fortification work done by Giulio Antonio Acquaviva . The emblem placed high on the wall , which combines the symbols of the Acquaviva and Orsini house , constitutes the " signature " of the work . The tower is divided into more levels is a powerful defensive rampart towards the outside , and in later period of its construction , the parapet supported by corbels was interrupted at several points to make room for the inclusion of the cannons . Polygonal Tower . Also this tower is an addition to other old buildings of the Castle , built when the new techniques and new military made inadequate the old structures . To note is the lower tilted wall ( called " a scarpa " , now partially buried ) , suited to repel the artillery . The narrow slits visible in the sides of the tower allowed the insertion of the mouths of fire , then contained within the tower . Other guns were to be placed on its top , sticking out the breaks above the parapet . The presence of two coats of masonry in relief can give the building to the Count Andrea Matteo Acquaviva d ' Aragona ( 1481 – 1511 ) , son and successor of Giulio Antonio Acquaviva . Please note that just when was count Andrea Matteo , who sided with the French , Conversano was besieged and captured ( 1503 ) by Spanish troops of General Consalvo of Cordova . Well . In the first room of the main tower , the oldest part of the castle ( 25 meters high , its terrace overlooking the scenery ) is a well , where according to legend , the Guercio cast women who refused the Droit de seigneur .