Castello di Maredolce, Norman castle in Brancaccio, Palermo, Italy.
Castello di Maredolce is a four-sided castle built with solid stone walls, standing in Favara Park with a central courtyard at its heart. Traces of an ancient water system that once filled the surrounding area can still be seen around the grounds.
Built in the 12th century as a pleasure palace for Sicilian rulers, the castle passed to the Teutonic Order in the 14th century. This transfer marked a shift in how the building was used and valued.
The chapel inside honors Saints Philip and James, showing how Norman design and religious spaces merged in this place. You can see this blend of secular and sacred use as you walk through the rooms.
The site is located in the Brancaccio neighborhood and can be reached by public transport. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking over historic grounds.
The castle once held an artificial lake with an island in the center, making it a rare example of Norman water design in Sicily. This water feature was more than decoration—it showed royal wealth and refined living.
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