Tag: norman castle
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Lords and Ladies in Caccamo
The castle at Caccamo is everything you think a castle should be. Its position over the valley below is extraordinary and it even has a room with a trap door where the lord of the fortress could literally pull the rug out from under you if you were on his bad side, and you’d fall…
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Castle In The Sky
Constructed starting in the 11th century, the Norman castle at Caccamo, Sicily sits atop a steep mountain overlooking a vast green valley in the province of Palermo. Thank you to my cousin Filippo Buttitta, who took this photo. Today, the medieval structure houses a civic museum and an excellent pizzeria, where we’ll eat lunch on…
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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…