Sicily being a true historical hub of the Mediterranean has more than 200 castles. Some of them today are only ruins, while others still preserve their structures intact and can be visited. Here is a list of all Castles that can be visited in Sicily.
Lombardy Castle
Location: Enna – Google maps
Built in the 13th century the castle covers an area of over 26,000 square meters and it is one of the largest and oldest castles in Italy.
Zisa Castle
Location: Palermo – Google maps
Built in the 12th century, this castle inspired by Moorish architecture is part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale World Heritage Site. Inside you can visit the museum of Islamic art.
Donnafugata Castle
Location: Ragusa – Google maps
Built in the 14th century the neo-gothic building covers an area of over 7500 square meters with over 120 rooms on 3 floors. Around the castle there is a large and monumental park of 8 hectares including a labyrinth similar to that of Hampton Court.
Castello di Venere
Location: Erice – Google maps
Built in the 12th century on the ruins of an Elymian-Phoenician-Roman temple, this Norman castle stands on an isolated cliff in the south-eastern corner of the summit of Mount Erice. At its side there are the Balio Towers.
Castello Manfredonico
Location: Mussomeli – Google maps
Built between the 14th and 15th centuries on a limestone rock, it is arranged at different heights and is one of the most inaccessible fortresses of Sicily.
Castelbuono Castle
Location: Castelbuono – Google maps
Built in 1316 by the Ventimiglia family on a pre-existing watchtower, it has today four corner towers plus a cylindrical tower typical of Angevin architecture.
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Sperlinga Castle
Location: Sperlinga – Google maps
Built in the 12th century on a rock that dominates the town, it is one of the most exciting examples of rock architecture as the castle is carved into the sandstone rock including the narrow and suggestive 80 steps staircase needed to reach it.
Chiaramonte Castle
Location: Siculiana – Google maps
Located on the top of a headland this originally Arab fortress was rebuilt in 1310 by the Chiaramonte family.
