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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).

Made of rough white stone, this 12th-century Norman castle dominates the village and valley below. Pass through the once impregnable walls, walk among ramparts, and visit the Sala di Congiura (Hall of the Conspiracy), where in 1160 the barons plotted to overthrow King William I.

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.

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.

The castle is perched atop a black promontory, jutting out over the sea. Built by the Normans, it was later covered by lava flows in 1169. It was rebuilt by a traitor to the crown and thus partially destroyed by Frederick II of Aragón in 1297. A stairway scales the side of the fortifications giving access to the interior of the structure. The passages and chambers now hold the archaeological collection of the Museo Civico.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Donnnafugata is truly a hodgepodge of architectural styles. The Arabs first fortified the site around AD 1000; it then became a castle around 1300. In 1865 it was turned into a far grander building, and a Venetian Gothic loggia was added.