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Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly

Castles around Country of Siracusa, palaces and mansions

The area around Country of Siracusa is rich in castles, towers, and historic houses, a strong testimony of medieval architecture. A dense network of manors spreads out over the whole area, in the plains, on the gentle hill slopes and perched on rocky mountains, surrounded by vineyards, beech and chestnut woods. Built in strategic positions, they dominate the surrounding valleys, often with mighty crenellated walls and lively interior decorations made on frescoed walls to recall the opulence of the local noble families. Many can be visited, still others used as homes, and still others only ruins as evidence of a glorious past. Discover with Visititaly, the fortresses, the villas, the forts, the historic buildings, the noble residences and all the places linked to culture in the surroundings of Country of Siracusa. If you have visited a castle and would like to share your experience with others, please report it here!

Noto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Nicolaci

Also known by the name Prince's Palace, this building was restored to its former glory after a complete renovation. The construction dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, and was designed by Rosario Gagliardi on commission of the Nicolaci family. The style is purely Baroque, decorated with several balconies enclosed by curved railings. Among the decorative elements we can also note mermaids, winged horses, sphinxes and many others.

Noto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Impellizzeri

Since the Impellizzeri were opposed to building the city on the Colle delle Meti, they were at odds with the other noble families of the time so they decided to build the palace in the upper part of Noto. The style used is a blend of the Baroque with the Neoclassical characterized by a large portal surmounted by the coat of arms of the family and several pillars. At the entrance there are two memorial tombstones concerning the family, while in the different rooms you can see decorations with stuccoes and canvases from the 18th century.

Noto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Reale ruderi

The royal castle of Noto, also known as the old castle, is located in Noto Antica, on Mount Alveria, about 10 km from Noto. The castle is the only well-preserved monument in the entire medieval town. A hanging wall, which can be seen even from afar, is what is left of the tower. The fortress walls are covered with graffiti and written left by the prisoners. We can still find crosses, dates, names and even Galeoni's imaginative drawing. On the floor there are several rectangular engravings used for game with checkers.

Carlentini - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo comunale

The Municipal Palace of Carlentini is undoubtedly the most beautiful civil building in the Carlentina city. It is located in Piazza Armando Diaz. Built at the beginning of the 19th century in neoclassical forms, the Municipal Palace was modified and embellished in 1876 at the expense of the Coomendator Carmelo Scavonetto (who then held the post of Mayor of the town) . The City Hall of Carlentini suffered serious damage due to the earthquake of 13 December 1990, but after years of restoration, it returned functional again.

Augusta - Castles, palaces and mansions

Il Rivellino

Around 1640, during the major works of strengthening the Piazzaforte to defend from the ground, the isthmus was cut by creating two moats, from that moment this area was called “the cut”. In place of the isthmus, three rivels were built in 1682 in military architecture: Quintana, Sant'Anna and Santo Stefano. The only one that still exists today is the Rivellino Quintana, placed on an artificial islet of a triangular shape built at the same time as the fortification of the city.

Sortino - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Sortino

There is no precise news of the castle due to the earthquake that destroyed it entirely in 1693. It is certain, however, that the fortress belongs to the Norman age, and over the centuries it was owned by several families. Today we don't find any trace of the building. It was a quadrangular construction, with rooms under the ground, and a tower also quadrangular, with windows embellished with battlements to the Guelph. The only documentations that we can still find today are a pictorial representation and an oil fresco on canvas. Lately, the municipality has decided to act and restructure it.

Other Castles, palaces and mansions

Destinations in the province