Visit Sicily’s Castles and Step Back in Time

The spectacular island of Sicily, located in the Mediterranean Sea, has never ceased to surprise and amaze her many visitors. Hordes of tourists return to the island every year, and the island's historical and architectural heritage are two of the biggest factors. While in Sicily, villas to rent are the perfect accommodation in which to be based for further exploration.

There are many attractions, including beaches, World Heritage sites and museums, but for the traveller looking for a slightly different itinerary, the following castles should not be missed. Often grandiose and always emotive, the architecture of these ancient structures is truly impressive. Spanning different centuries and showcasing different types of architectural styles, these examples make an excellent cross section.

Castello Ursino in Catania

Constructed in the 13th century, Castello Ursino, located in the town of Catania, was originally built overlooking a cliff. However, volcanic activities and earthquakes caused the castle’s location to move, and it now sits about a kilometre inland. One of the castle’s most quirky attributes is that it stands out like a sore thumb in the modern city of Catania, surrounded by modern shops in the middle of the piazza! While in Sicily, villas (of the ancient kind) and castles are more often situated in isolated locations, far from diminishing its appeal, this only adds to the castle’s charm. It now houses the Catania Civico Museum, which features items from the Classical era.

Castello di Schisò in Giardini Naxos

The impressive Castello di Schisò is a 16th century fortress. Because it overlooks the Bay of Giardini, a military observation tower was constructed so personnel could patrol the bay against raids from Turkish pirates in the 16th century. Another interesting aspect of the Schisò Castle is that it has a sugarcane processing plant within its walls, which was a lucrative business venture during that time. Today, it serves as a great backdrop for the many visitors who come to relax by the beach, and a surprising change of scenery. The Castello di Schisò is very well-preserved and still looks like the impregnable fortress that it was built to be all those centuries ago in Sicily. Villas in this lovely region provide an excellent base for exploration of the castle and other historical sites.

Zisa in Palermo Zisa Castle in Palermo is yet another interesting, but different, kind of castle. Built not as a fortress but a summer home for the Norman kings, construction on Zisa began in the 12th century. The name Zisa is derived from the Arab term al-Az?z, which means 'splendid' and, true to its promise, the castle certainly looks the part. The architectural style of the castle is different from the usual Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic ones that are displayed in the usual Sicily villas, churches, and cathedrals. It is, in fact, inspired by Moorish architecture, which is characterised by horseshoe, crenelated and ogee arches, and decorative tile work.

Helen Forbes is from Essential Italy, a company specialising in Italian holiday villas, apartments and hotels. If you’re looking for the perfect Sicily villas we can help. Our handpicked villas offer distinctive Italian qualities, great comfort and convenience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.