Nineteen, in all. Sicily is (or was...in some cases) filled with them.
So let's explore!
Beginning with (1.) Castello di Agrigento
No video is available.
(2.) Castello di Barrugeri
A Sicilian Castle built in 1295 and since completely destroyed.Nothing remains and the area on which it stood is now flat farmland.
No video available.
(3.) Castello di Bifar
Built in the 11th Century...then captured by the Normans in 1086. There are no remains and this castle is known only by writings. It was destroyed in the Earthquake of 1693 and nothing remains.
Eventually there are CASTLES on this tour....right??
(...channelling my inner Ian from Jurassic Park...)
(4.) Castello di Bivona
Yay...A Castle! Sorta...kinda...almost.
Built in the 14th Century the castle was sacked in 1529. Abandoned but there are ruins remaining. Yay ruins...
Tour by Air
https://youtu.be/srPJyS5AOTI
(5.) Castello di Caccamo
Okay...this is more like it!
Castle Caccamo is one of the largest and most well preserved Norman Castles outside of Palermo, Sicily. It rises 521 metres on a large cliff overlooking Caccamo,Sicily. Built in the 12th Century over the remains of an Arab Settlement...modified and added onto both in the 14th and 17th Centuries.
Today the castle is owned by Sicily and restored. Open to the public. There is a restaurant within and also used for conferences and meetings.
A Beautiful Tour of Caccamo
https://youtu.be/vtaOYyBuxkU
(6.) Castellazzo di Camastra
A 14th Century Castle that also remains in ruins.
No video footage available
(7.) Donnafugata Castle
Although the Origins of Donafugata can be traced back to the 14th Century...most of it was renovated in the early 19th century. More recently the Palace was left to ruins and scheduled to be removed. No telling if this actually occurred. Much like the Messina Bridge
" eh...who knows???"
The Donafugata
The name roughly translates to
The Woman Who Fled
and this was the setting for Il Leopardo.
The Donafugata in happier times
and inside
This Video Tour was shot 8 years ago.
https://youtu.be/jrw3l6tC-_Y
(addendum: Did find out that instead of the wrecking ball...the Palace underwent complete restoration and is returned to its former splendor! An aside...the writer's Lampedusa Palazzo...unfortunately, did not...and is lost forever.
Author of Il Leopardo
(8.) Castello di Lombardia
Erected in the 1st Millennium BC the Sicani it sits on a hillside 970 metres above sea level. Conquered by The Romans who had to pass through its sewer networks in order to do so. Beneath the Castle the Temple of Ceres who was a widespread goddess throughout Italy at the time.
Conqured by The Romans, The Arabs, The Normans...then used as a gathering place for theater and operas...it is now open to the public.
And I am assuming you no longer have to go through the cavernous sewer system to access it.
Tour
https://youtu.be/VJ5qxYylhXI
https://youtu.be/8zXVDQzy6aY
(9.) Castello Maniace
Maniace is located in Syrause,Sicily at the tip of Ortygia Island.
Built in 1232...from the 1300-1500s used for the Queens of Sicily...then converted to a Prison in the 15th Century and later an Armory. Both a castle and a citadel is is now primarily a tourist attraction and open to the public.
Tour
https://youtu.be/SvT-cz7Llao
(10.) Mategriffon
No photo avaiable
Mategriffon was a wooden castle built in Sicily by Richard the 1st of England in 1191 at Messina. It is listed as a destroyed landmark in Sicily.
Ya think?
No video available
(...and WHO the hell builds a castle out of wood, anyway????)
(11.) Castello di Milazzo
A Castle and Citadel in Milazzo Sicily.
Used by the Greeks as an Acropolis...enlarged into a castrum by the Romans...a castle by the Arabs...and enlarged and modified into Medieval times. It is now a popular tourist attraction and open to the public.
Tour
https://youtu.be/01EwVyAR4L8
(12.) Castello Normanno- Aci
Also known as Castello di Aci located in Catania, Sicily.
Built in 1076 by The Normans. The town of Aci sprung up around the castle. It is used now as a museum.
Tour from air by drone
https://youtu.be/LdorPNLSzVI
and from land (inside)
https://youtu.be/cfmEpuzB79g
(13.) Castello Normanno.Paterno
Built in 1072 to thwart Islamic raids it later housed kings and queens.
It was owned by a single family until the 1400's then used as a jail...and eventually fell into disrepair until the 19th Century when it was restored.
Now open to tourists.
Tour
https://youtu.be/jNUF54jApuw
(14.) Castello della Pietra d'Amico
Another castle which has fallen through the years. This one leaving only the rock it was built on.
Although all that remains are staircases and bits of walls...the site is open tothe public.
A rock..okay...I just want a rock.
No video available
(15.) Castello di Schiso
Originally constructed in the 13th century...rennovation was done in the 14th,16th and 19th centuries. The fortress was used as a means of protection against pirate attacks and also had a sugar cane mill inside to process the local crop. The castle is privately owned today by the Palidino family and not open to the public.
Although there is no drone footage of Schiso Castle available...I felt compelled to share this video...which is of a castle for sale in the area...lol
Castle for Sale
https://youtu.be/cFXVutD9n5A
"Yeah Bob, that's right...bought a freaking castle in Sicily...I'm staying."
(16) Castello di Terra
Direct quote: Today only the Northwest face of the castle is still standing intact.
I'll pass...
Yeah...I get a lot of mileage out of this lady.
(17.) Castello Ursino (Bear Castle)
Built in the 13th Century,Ursino was the Royal Castle of Sicily, and eventually became the Seat of the Sicilian Parliament.
Today it is is excellent condition and is open to the public as a museum.
Tour Drone exterior
https://youtu.be/QU89JLHFW98
Inside
https://youtu.be/iYDSWt_srAE
(18.) Castello di Villagonia
Razed in 1913...no photo...no video.
I guess when the Sicilians want you gone...you are gone.
(19.) The Ziza,Palermo
The last castle on our Virtual Adventure.
Built in the 12th Century by Arabian Craftsmen for King William the First of Sicily.The style is Moorish. The name from al-Aziza meaning Splendid or Dearest.
In 2015 it was named a World Heritage Site.
Tour
https://youtu.be/YZMBSsl5vvw
Truly an amazing place.
So there you have it. Some of the better known castles of Sicily.
On Monday we will check out Trapani and the (sea) salt beds.
More anon...
