DK Travel : Sicily

The island of Sicily is Italy’s largest region and is also its most varied. In terms of geography, there are offshore islands, endless coastline, rugged mountains, rolling wheatfields and volcanos, but its history and architecture are also of note. Sicily formed a significant portion of the Greek empire, was strategically vital to Rome, and was invaded in succession by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons, before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark, to create a palimpsest of cultures on the island.

Castello di Eurialo

These 4th-century BC fortifications protected the western approach to mighty Greek Syracuse. Archimedes refined the structure adding a drawbridge, trenches and catapults to protect the keep. Descend into one of the defensive trenches where the tunnels (gallerie ) give access to the keep (see Castello di Eurialo).
Castello di Eurialo

This Greek military castle was built in 402 BC and is notable for its 15-m (50-ft) keep. Spectacular views of the coastline can be had from its fortifications (see Castello di Eurialo).
Castello di Lombardia, Enna

One of the largest castles in Sicily was built by Frederick II in 1233 on the highest point of the already towering village. Massive walls and defensive works remain in place, including six of what were once 20 towers. The octagonal Torre di Federico II is the only fully original part remaining. Climb the Torre Pisana for views of the city, the valley below and Mount Etna on the horizon.
Castello di Sperlinga

Sperlinga guarded the important royal Norman supply road linking Palermo with Catania. As the site of the only resistance to the Sicilian Vespers in 1282, a group of Angevins hid out here for more than a year.
Castello di Venere, Erice

This Norman castle is impressively sited on a sheer cliff face. The entrance through the tower is marked by the coat of arms of Charles V. Inside, the remains of Norman walls surround the ancient area sacred to Venus Erycina – stones from her temple were used to build the castle. There are also Phoenician and Roman ruins here.
Castello Maniace

Frederick II built this castle around 1239. It takes its name from the Byzantine George Maniakes who “liberated” Syracuse in the 11th century.
Castello Ursino, Catania

Built around 1250, the once-moated castle has been used variously as a royal residence, the seat of parliament and a prison. It now houses the town’s Museo Civico.
Castello Ventimiglia, Castelbuono

In 1316 the Ventimiglia family built their fortified family seat on top of a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Madonie mountains. The private rooms now house contemporary art and an ethnographic collection.
Castello, Lipari

Above the harbour, Lipari’s castle rock has been fortified for six millennia. The 12th-century Norman gate offers a passage through walls fortified with massive stones by the Greeks in the 4th century BC and again by the Spanish in 1556.
Castelvetrano

The “City of Olives and Temples”, known for its olive oil production, can thank the Arabs for its urban plan and its central maze of piazzas. The bronze Ephebus (c.470 BC) is the pride of the Museo Civico.