The Grifeo Castle in Partanna is the well-preserved example of medieval castle built along the western part of Sicily. It was built in 1076 by Roger II against Arabs. The castle has been designed by the architect Perbono Calandrino who characterised the building with amazing towers and gardens. It was a home of the Princes Grifeo for about nine centuries. Today the castle is a museum that displays lots of ancient masterpieces as its charming basements with its amazing old wine cellars.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.