Castel dei Mondi International Festival

An international festival in the heart of Puglia

The Castel dei Mondi International Festival is Andria's most significant contemporary performing arts event and one of the most enduring in all of Southern Italy. Founded in 1997, it takes its name from the famous Castel del Monte, the UNESCO-listed octagonal fortress built by Frederick II that overlooks the Andria countryside: a play on words that captures the festival's mission to foster dialogue between different worlds, languages, and cultures. Promoted by the City of Andria in collaboration with the Puglia Region and Puglia Culture, it takes place every September and has consistently reinvented itself while remaining true to its identity as an international crossroads.

A multidisciplinary program

Castel dei Mondi is not a single-genre festival; it is a journey through the arts. The program features a mix of experimental theater, contemporary dance, music, installations, video art, exhibitions, screenings, talks, and workshops, often showcasing national and regional premieres with companies and artists from across Europe. Under the artistic direction of Riccardo Carbutti, each edition is built around a central theme that weaves through the performances and discussions, inviting the public to engage in shared cultural paths, reflection, and dialogue.

The festival venues

The strength of Castel dei Mondi lies in its deep connection with the city: performances are not confined to a single theater but spread throughout Andria's historic center and its most evocative locations—squares, churches, courtyards, repurposed spaces, the Diocesan Museum, and peripheral neighborhoods—occasionally reaching the monumental setting of Castel del Monte. The festival thus becomes a way to rediscover Andria and the Barletta-Andria-Trani province through art, turning the entire city into a widespread stage.

Towards the 30th Anniversary

Following the 29th edition in 2025, dedicated to the theme "A Window on the Courtyard," the festival is preparing for its 30th Anniversary milestone. Dates and the program for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced at the time of publication; as per tradition, the event is expected in September. We recommend checking the official website and the festival's social media channels for updates on the program, dates, and tickets.

Why it's worth visiting

For lovers of contemporary theater, dance, and visual arts, Castel dei Mondi offers one of the most daring and international programs in Southern Italy, set against the backdrop of Andria and the Murgia region—a landscape rich in history, culture, and beauty. It is a unique opportunity to combine a holiday in Puglia with the discovery of performances rarely seen elsewhere.