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Sicily castles, palaces and mansions

The Sicily region is rich in castles, towers, and historic houses, a strong testimony of medieval architecture. A dense network of manors spreads over the whole territory, 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 private homes, and still others only ruins bearing witness to 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 that characterize the Sicily region. 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.

Ragusa - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Donnafugata

The Castle of Donnafugata is 15 km from Ragusa, and is similar to a luxurious mansion from the 19th century. The building has an area of about 2,500 square meters and consists of two towers and eight balconies. The castle has 122 rooms, of which about twenty are available to visitors. The furniture is original from the time. Each room had a different taste and function from the other. The building is surrounded by a large park. In the rooms of the castle, some filming was carried out by Commissioner Montalbano.

Enna - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Lombardia

It is the symbol of the city, built on 26000 square meters. It is one of the greatest of the era. The name comes from a garrison of Lombard soldiers placed to defend the castle. The location of the castle is in the foreground and the city was born around it. Under the fortification, the Fortress of Ceres already existed, which was the cult of the Goddess of the Mass. In 1923, the castle also served as a prison. For almost half a century, the structure was the headquarters of the City Opera House.

Carini - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Carini

The Castle of Carini was built between the 11th century and the twelfth century on a previously Arab construction. The construction work is due to the warrior of Count Ruggiero, Rodolfo Bonello. Initially, the fortress played a defensive role but already in 1283, under the management of the Abate family, it was used as a residential structure. Subsequently, the Castle was home to a tragic story concerning the Baroness of Carini, Laura Lanza di Trabia, who was killed by her father together with her lover by question of honor on 4 December 1563.

Palermo - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Napoli

Villa Napoli, located in Palermo, is a building that dates back to the seventeenth century. Initially it arose as a Norman tower and today it incorporates within itself the remains of Soprana Cuba. Over the years it was modified and expanded. It takes its name from its owner Carlo of Naples. In the early 1700s it was abandoned and was robbed repeatedly. Only in 1991 it was sold by the family of origin to the Sicilian Region who took care of returning it to its original magnificence with renovation works. Today, the reopening is expected to be able to visit it again.

Palermo - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Malfitano

The Villa Malfitano Whitaker in Palermo was built between 1885 and 1889 at the behest of Giuseppe Whitaker. The villa is in Neo-Renaissance style with three floors. In addition, it must be remembered that this villa is beautifully decorated and in its rooms we can admire beautiful paintings, porcelain, Flemish tapestries and many other art objects that the owner has collected on his countless travels. The building is well preserved and is among the most beautiful in the province. It is currently the headquarters of the Whitmer Foundation.

Palermo - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri

The existence of Palazzo Chiaramonte, otherwise known as Palazzo Steri, is due to the name of Count Manfredi Chiaramonte who, in the fourteenth century, began its construction from the ceiling of the Sala Magna. The square-shaped building is a middle street between a medieval castle and a patrician residence. For more than a century, the palace housed the offices of the Inquisition Tribunal. Thanks to the excavations, a monument was discovered in the basement about seven meters high.

Lipari - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Lipari

The castle was built on a plateau that can be found on a cliff next to the sea, from archaeological research and studies of the conformation of the rock the area appears to have been inhabited for about 6000 years. This rock for the inhabitants has always represented a natural defense against attacks from the sea. The current structure was constructed in the course of the sixteenth century by Charles V as a result of a harsh attack on the city perpetrated by the Tunisian captain Kairedin Barbarossa who deported'' almost all the inhabitants.

Taormina - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Taormina

The Arab-Norman Castle or even Castello di Monte Tauro dominates the whole city of Taormina from above with a beautiful view of the sea. It was built in the Middle Ages on the remains of an ancient acropolis; it has a trapezoidal base and a tower, which served as a lookout. Today of this construction we can admire only the high keep and the courtyard, as well as the remains of a tower and the surrounding walls. The Castle is open to the public and to get there you have to go along a long staircase, which starts from the church of Madonna della Rocca.

Assoro - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Assoro Diroccato

The Castle of Assoro Diroccato, abandoned already in the early modern age, was then given to the quarry to the citizens, and is, today, inserted in a beautiful urban park that includes the entire upper area of the country with its remains of the fortifications and the ancient acropolis. In the sculpted rocks, to give ease to the walls you can see, then, a truly interesting particularity, next to the large holes for the beams of the floors and floors appear in several places long series of linear petroglyphs, all the same, whose interpretation is really difficult.

Acireale - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo di città

The Palazzo di Città is the monument of Acireale, represents the architectural quality over 200m of extension in Baroque style. The façade is made elegant by the sculptures, which are the elements saved from the original construction. Above the portal of the building you can see the national coat of arms of the municipality. Since 1833, the palace has become the official seat of the Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts of Zealans and Daphnics.

Caltagirone - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Caltagirone

The Castle of Caltagirone is located in the present ancient part of the homonymous city and was most likely built around the 12th-13th century. In fact, from documents dating back to 1239, the fortress is defined as the state property that is included in the number of castra exempta. Unfortunately, in 1256, the structure was damaged by the Manfredi and only the tower remained of the Castle. We proceeded to the construction of a room and a room annexed to the tower itself, but unfortunately, from documents dating back to the twentieth century, it is evident that only a few remains remain of the Castle.

Adrano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Adrano

Built in the 11th century by Count Ruggero, it is one of the symbols of the city. What catches the eye is the Islamic style of the building, which is perceived in the main entrance and in the interior. It rises 33 meters long for 4 floors, the walls are 2.3-2.6 meters thick. The castle was abandoned after the 1600s earthquake that destroyed its interior. Over the centuries, it has been transformed having assumed several roles as the residence of noble families, as the seat of a prison then from 1958 to the present day and Museum.

Catania - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo dell'Università

Today's Palazzo dell'Università was built in 1696, by Giovan Battista Vaccarini, Francesco, Antonino Battaglia and many other architects of the time. The majesty of the structure occupies a large area. The building has well-groomed 18th-century architectural decorative elements. On the façade you can see the coat of arms of Aragon, while inside there are numerous frescoes, works by Giovan Battista Piparo. Since 1696, the building has been home to the University of Catania, from which it also took its name.

Agira - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello San Filippo d'Argirò

The construction dates back to the 14th century above an already existing structure. What is left of the castle today are two different structures. The first is the walls with an irregular perimeter. Then there are also the towers, the first one that is located on the southwest corner, the second that heads towards a gap in the boundary wall and then the third that follows another wall gap about 15m long. Inside the building is also the church of San Filippo, the facade of which is rather recent.

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.

Aragona - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Principe Naselli

Palazzo Principe Naselli dates back to the 18th century and has a typical noble structure. It took its name from Baldassare Naselli Branciforti, the prince of the area at the time, and the person who commissioned its construction. Inside you can admire the numerous frescoes and the ancient art gallery that houses several works of great cultural value for the area. Currently the palace is home to the Town Hall of the area and the women's orphanage.

Aci Catena - Castles, palaces and mansions

Municipio ex Convento S.Antonio da Padova

The Town Hall and former Convent of Saint Anthony of Padua was built in 1636 in Aci Catena. It is one of the most beautiful and elegant buildings to which the Catenotes contributed. The staircase gives an extreme harmony to the whole building and inside there are most of the best works in the country. The cloister is decorated in the lunettes with frescoes depicting the life and works of the Franciscan Saints. It is among the most visited and best preserved monuments in the city.

Nicosia - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Grande ruderi

The Castle of Nicosia is located in the highest part of the city. The structure consisted of 4 towers where all the soldiers lived. The building was built in such a way that it was protected from enemies. Outside the walls there were small buildings that were used to warn the inhabitants of dangers. In 1065 the building was purchased by Count Roger who made it a fortress. Today there are few things left of the castle that prove its existence.

Palermo - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Speciale-Raffadali

The Palazzo Speciale-Raffadali in Palermo was built in 1468. Unfortunately, between the 17th and 18th centuries it was demolished and rebuilt by the Raffadali family, who owned it. The style is catalanizing and with elements dating back to the '400, the '600 and '700. Two peculiarities to mention are: the niche that is located on top with a bust attributed to Domenico Gagini. The other thing is that inside the building there is a secret garden hidden by high walls.

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.

Messina - Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte San Jachiddu

The fort is located in the center north of Messina and enjoys an excellent view as it is located on a high level. It has a symmetrical trapezoidal shape and is equipped with a drawbridge entrance. The whole structure consists of three levels that are connected by two ramps and numerous internal and external stairs. For many years it was in very bad condition, but, after being renovated, the building has been excellently recovered and is often used as a venue for events and exhibitions.

Gela - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castelluccio

The Castelluccio di Gela dates back to the 13th century and is located on a chalky relief dominating the surrounding area. Its main function was defensive and it appears to have been in the possession of Anselmo da Moach in the fourteenth century to pass in the management of the Aragonese. The structure has a rectangular plan with powerful walls and its corner towers. Of the main floor there are only a few remains while there are still rooms on the ground floor with the function of stables and armory houses. The Castle is currently in a state of neglect.

Other Castles, palaces and mansions

Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello della Signora o Casale ruderi

strada provinciale gibellina - Salaparuta
The Castle of the Lady or Farmhouse was built by the Arabs in ancient times. Over the years it has had various denominations, such as “Sala della Donna” because the settlers moved to a neighboring farmhouse. In 1400 instead, “Castle of Sala Paruta” and later “Castello di Salaparuta”. Unfortunately, in 1968, a strong earthquake destroyed the whole country. That's why today only the ruins are left.
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