The Whimsical Encounter at the Norman-Swabian Castle, Bari

The Norman-Swabian Castle, erected by King Roger II in 1132, bore witness to devestation and reconstruction under the reign of King William I of Sicily and Frederick II. Over the centuries, it metamorphosed into an exhibition center, luring visitors with tales of yore. One of these tales, bubbling with conjecture, revolves around a purported meeting between Frederick II and St. Francis of Assisi in 1221. According to legend, the Holy Roman Emperor, peering at Francis, found himself captivated by the man's principles. But can we trust the veracity of this narrative?

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons