Montechiaro Castle

Palma di Montechiaro, Italy

The Castle of Palma de Montechiaro was built in 1353. It is the only castle of the Chiaramonte family that is situated at the seaside, on a cliff known as the Bay of the Sirens. It was founded by Frederick III Chiaramonte, then transferred to his successors Manfredi II, I and Andrea, who beheaded him. His possessions were seized and the ownership of the castle was transferred to the family Caro, who erased the memory of the previous gentlemen, changing its name into Montechiaro. Francesca Caro married Carlo Tomasi, the Duke of Palma and Prince of Lampedusa. The last owner with the name Tomasi was the author of the famous novel The Leopard, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.

You can reach the castle via a steep pebbly road full of pebbles. The ground floor houses the chapel with a marble statue of the Madonna di Montechiara designed by Antonello Gaginis.

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Details

Founded: 1353
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.myguidesicily.com

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Karl Vernik (11 months ago)
Cool castle but unfortunately closed and the final road there has some clay parts which means that on moist weather the shoes will get super dirty.
Agnese K (12 months ago)
Castle was closed. Nice views.
András Balogh (2 years ago)
A charming little castle that we discovered during a motorboat ride, and then we had brunch beside the view. Beneath it, there's a beach that wasn't crowded; whether it can be easily approached, I don't know. I love castles, it brought a smile to my face.
Martin Miler (2 years ago)
I'm passing by to have a look. The castle's rusty locks indicate that the castle has been closed for a long time.
A Szmit (3 years ago)
Nice castle above nice beach good for swimming
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