Pepoli Castle

Erice, Italy

Therea re two castles in Erice, Pepoli Castle, with foundations dating from Arab times, and nearby Venus Castle, dating from the Norman period. Surrounded by a lush park, the hilltop castles alone are worth a stop in Erice, which offers charming old stone streets and several medieval churches. Pepoli Castle was at first a feudal stronghold, though Erice was eventually ceded to the Crown as a demesnial city. The view from the castle towers is stupendous. Though both castles have been modified somewhat over the centuries, they still have that distinctively medieval character one expects of such fortresses. Pepoli Castle is now a hotel.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 10-11th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.bestofsicily.com

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dan M (4 years ago)
Don't expect a huge or amazing piece of architecture, but as almost everywhere in Erice expect beautiful landscapes, which is why you shouldn't miss this it, it would be too bad. You will reach this place by walking the streets of this village and then finally get there, at the end of the village. You can also go straight from the Cable car by taking the southern street boarding the village till its end. You'll reach then 4 nice places: the Gardens of Balio, the Castello del Balio o Pepoli, this Torretta Pepoli and last the Castello di Venere. You'll have the opportunity to admire stunning landscapes spreading maybe up to hundred kilometers around. It is actually really beautiful and probably this should be more the purpose of this trip than visiting the village itself.
Ecuadorianbus Charter (4 years ago)
Pitty it was closed on our visit begining of marsh. We confess the westher was some windy and chilly but would have apreciatedca visit. From the outside it was looking atractive, specialy for my 13 years old son!
Miha S (4 years ago)
Good view from here
Ksay shade of (5 years ago)
Interesting architecture of this house. The best views on it - is from the mountain above it.
Richard Attoe (5 years ago)
Erice is a lovely hilltop village to walk around with stunning far reaching views. Lots to see and a few shops and nice restaurants. Free parking in low season. A must visit if you near.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre of Mérida is a construction promoted by the consul Vipsanius Agrippa in the Roman city of Emerita Augusta, capital of Lusitania (current Mérida). It was constructed in the years 16 to 15 BCE. One of the most famous and visited landmarks in Spain, the Roman Theatre of Mérida is regarded as a Spanish cultural icon and was chosen as one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

The theatre has undergone several renovations, notably at the end of the 1st century or early 2nd century CE (possibly during the reign of Emperor Trajan), when the current facade of the scaenae frons was erected, and another in the time of Constantine I (between 330 and 340), which introduced new decorative-architectural elements and a walkway around the monument. Following the theatre"s abandonment in Late Antiquity, it was slowly covered with earth, with only the upper tiers of seats (summa cavea) remaining visible.