Salemi Castle

Salemi, Italy

The castle of Salemi is one of the best preserved castles in Sicily. Inside, the library and the resurgence museum are housed. The castle has Norman origins and dominates the town with its trapezoidal shape and square, 20 meters high, corner towers, and a cylindrical tower.

The castle was built by Norman King Roger around 1077 to the site of Roman-Arab fort. Frederick II altered it in the 13th century.

In 1441, on December 11, in the castle of Salemi a confederation made up of Salemi, Trapani, Mazara, Monte San Giuliano and by the barons of Castelvetrano and Partanna was formed which undertook the defense, and bore the costs, of the Queen White and Royal House of Aragon. Salemi was, therefore, more fortified and garrisoned during the raids of the Turks.

Address

Piazza Alicia 13, Salemi, Italy

See all sites in Salemi

Details

Founded: c. 1077
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.federicoitineraridellostupore.it

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alessandro Catanese (5 years ago)
Wonderful castle of historical and artistic interest. Located in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Salemi. Wonderful. To visit without a doubt if you are in the province of Trapani.

Andrea Mereghetti (5 years ago)
If only it were a little nicer, it would be a little gem in beautiful Salemi

Giuseppe Scianna (5 years ago)
Magic

Salvatore Barbara (5 years ago)
very beautifull

Daphne Varekamp (7 years ago)
They have the sweetest stray dogs

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.