home > itineraries > castles > province of Messina > Montalbano Elicona castle
Castles itinerary
Province of Trapani
Province of Palermo
Province of Messina
  • Montalbano Elicona castle
    		•
    • Province of Catania
    Province of Siracusa
    Province of Ragusa
    Province of Agrigento
    Province of Enna




    A museum of art and culture between sun and sea Itineraries of faith and folklore Sicilian foods and crafts The sea and the island Natural setting for sport and relaxation

    Montalbano Elicona     Castle

    Montalbano Castle, in the Nebrodi Mountains, was part of Frederick II's plan to provide Sicily with a system of "strong points" defending the whole territory. Constructed in its present form between 1302 and 1311, it played a leading role in the control of the underlying valley, the River Montalbano, the inland roads running towards the Alcantara valley, the Tyrrhenian coast, and the long ridges of the Nebrodi Mountains. An overall view of the massive castle shows the successive historical stratifications over the centuries: from the original Norman-style nucleus to the transformations effected by the Aragonese and the functional modifications that were successively introduced, thus making it - over the years - a 14th-cent. baronial palace, a Jesuit house, and the seat of public offices. The castle is square in shape, presenting a courtyard with three wings. The keep is built on an outcrop of rock. The splendour of the past can now be seen only in part of the external structure, in what is left of a tower, and in a fine chapel. The castle is now used for cultural events and as a theatre workshop.
    The Citadel of Messina Milazzo castle Spanish Fort The Citadel of Messina Fort of Vittoria Milazzo castle Maniace castle Norman castle of Aci Castello Ursino castle Norman castle of Aci Castello Maniace castle Scaletta Zanclea castle Fort of Vittoria Spanish Fort Racalmuto castle Caccamo castle Gagliano Castelferrato castle Sperlinga castle Paternò castle Mussomeli castle Falconara castle (Gela) Donnafugata castle Adrano castle Carini castle Sea castle and Palazzo Steri Erice Norman castle Erice Norman castle Castelbuono castle Caccamo castle Castelbuono castle Lombardia castle Sea castle and Palazzo Steri Favara castle Naro castle Adrano castle Lombardia castle Donnafugata castle Falconara castle (Gela) Castello Ursino Castello Normanno di Aci Castello Cittadella di Messina Castello di Scaletta Zanclea Forte Vittoria Castello Maniace Forte Spagnolo