Strolling Through Beautiful Castles Sicily

Caccamo Castle sits on a hill in the Leonardo River Valley. Visitors enjoy seeing the Madonie Mountains. The castle was first a fortress and a lookout tower, then a castle and mansion. It was built in the medieval style with towers, deep moats, and a courtyard. Inside is a labyrinth of rooms and halls. It is an interesting place to visit in Northwest Sicily.

Donnafugata Castle is located near Ragusa Ibla. It is a luxurious mansion that belonged to the Arezzo de Spuches family. The castle dates back to the XIV century. It has been decorated in the neo-Gothic style and has more than 120 rooms. Visitors enjoy the large park surrounding the castle.

Maniace Castle is located in the center of Oreigia. It was built to protect the ports. It is situated at the far point of the Ortygia Island promontory. The castle was built between 1232 and 1240, commissioned by Frederico II. Maniace Castle has four towers and a marble portal entrance with a pointed structure. The inner courtyard leads to two aisles, which were part of the original structure.

Montalbano Elicona Castle is located in Montalbano, Sicily. It is located on the Nebrodi Mountains with snowy peaks in the winter, with the name Montalbano coming from the Latin Mons Albus, a snowy mountain. The castle was built in the XIV century and dominates the medieval village, the valley, and the Tyrrhenian Coast. The ancient chapel holds the tomb of Arnaldo da Villanove, an alchemist who healed King Frederico II with herbs picked in the site of the Argimusco Plateau. Visitors enjoy seeing the collection of cold weapons from the V to the XV centuries, and the other exhibit displays musical instruments from the XI to the XV centuries. In 2018 the castle of Montalbano, Sicily, hosted the important UNESCO Congress of ICOMOS-ICHAM.

Mussomeli Castle was built on a limestone cliff overlooking the Platani River and the valley below. Mussomeli is a town and commune in the province of Caltanissetta. The external facade of the castle is characterized by Gothic style with a pointed gate and decorated windows. Inside you can see cross-vaulted ceilings and the impressive Barons Hall. A feast if held every September for the Madonna of the Miracles, with a similar feast held in Buffalo, NY, which has a large number of Mussomeli émigrés and their descendants.

Sperlinga Castle is located in the village of Sperlinga. The name comes from the Greek "spilyngos," meaning "cave."This is one of the most beautiful castles in Sicily. It was built over sandstone and fits in with the natural environment. From Sperlinga Castle you can see a wide range over the island. A steep stairway carved in stone leads to the highest point of the castle. Built in the 11th century, it served as a defensive fortress during the Norman period. The castle played a crucial role in various historical conflicts, including battles between the Normans and Arabs.

Castle Ursino is among the most representative monuments of medieval Catania. The castle was built for Frederico II from 1239 to 1250 on a cliff surrounded by the sea on three sides. The castle is notable for its square shape and four corner towers. Originally surrounded by a moat, it features thick walls made of lava stone.

Today it is home to the Civil Museum of Catania.

Venus Castle is located in the medieval village of Erice. The castle dates back to the XII century and was built over an ancient temple that was dedicated to the fertility goddess Venus. The structure showcases a blend of different architectural styles, including Norman, Arab, and Gothic elements. Notable features include thick stone walls, towers, and a beautiful courtyard.

Ziza Palace Palermo (pictured above) was built in 1164 by Tunisian artisans fro Norman King Guglielmo. It was used as a summer residence by kings. The courtyard has fountains. In the 1990s, the building was picked for restoration by the Region of Sicily. In July 2015 the palace was included in the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu and Monreale World Heritage Site.