 In 1501, forces loyal to Spain plundered Castel del Monte because of the town's allegiance to France.In 1579, the Piccolominis ceded the village as part of the Baronage of Carapelle to Francesco de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.The Medici, who governed the baronage for over a century-and-a-half, left their imprint on Castel del Monte.