Tag: castello
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Shrouded In Fog
When I visited the Castello di Venere of Erice in September, it was shrouded in fog, which is a sight scene often because its position 2460 feet above sea level. Come with me to pay homage to Venus, who was worshiped at this spot, where a temple existed for centuries, on Day 12 of our…
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My Lady, I’ll Have Pizza
The Normans made sure that their castle at Caccamo was impenetrable. With construction dating back to the 11th century, it sits atop a steep mountain overlooking a vast green valley and fresh water lake (a rarity in Sicily). Today, you are welcome to visit the Castello’s museum. The imposing structure also houses an excellent pizzeria,…
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What The Ancients Did For Love
The town of Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) boasts a 12th century Norman castle, pictured, top, Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of Venus, which was built over an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love. Those seeking romance and success with procreation would climb 2460 feet to the top of Mount Eryx’s magnificent…
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Black Castle
The imposing castle at Aci Castello was constructed out of black volcanic rock on top of La Rocca by the Normans starting in the late 11th century. Prior to that time, the promontory hosted both an Arab and Byzantine fortification. The castle was somewhat destroyed in a siege at the turn of the 13th century…
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After 1669, Landlocked
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I talked about Etna’s eruption in 1669 and how the citizens of Catania didn’t evacuate, which led to thousands of citizens perishing? Well, another casualty of Etna’s wrath during that eruption was Castello Ursino, pictured. Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1239 and surrounded by a…
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Castelbuono’s Haunted Castle
The Castello dei Ventimiglia in Castelbuono meets all of your ideas about what a castle should be. It has a wall around it. It has a look-out tower. It was built in the 14th century. And it is haunted. Yup–legend says that Queen Constance Chiaramonte haunts the castle! Today, it is a town museum. This…
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Well, I’ll Be Domed
Domed roof, part of the Castello di Lipari (Lipari Castle) on Lipari Island
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Castelbuono Celebrates Sant’Anna
The city of Castelbuono is currently celebrating its patroness Sant’Anna whose feast day is July 26. Each day since July 17, devotees have been processing a life-size statue of the saint through the alleys and thoroughfares of the walled-city–most in costumes illustrating the pride they have in their Medieval past. On July 25, in the…
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The Castle from Far Away
The fortress or castle (of yesterday’s post) of the fishing and tourist port of Castellammare del Golfo photographed from the overlook on Strada Statale 187 (State Road 187). I never take for granted when I go to this overlook! I always take a photo, no matter how many I’ve taken in the past.