Castello degli Schiavi, Rural castle in Sicily, Italy
Castello degli Schiavi is a rural Baroque castle built between 1750 and 1756 in Sicily. The architect Paolo Amico Guarrera added refined decorative elements to the structure, including lava stone portals and carved details that reflect the 18th-century style throughout the building.
The castle was built by Don Girolamo Pavone after he received a land grant from the Prince of Palagonia in 1756. The Pavone family remained owners for several generations before the property passed to the Crujllas family, known as Barons of Santa Lucia.
The castle's name derives from a stone quarry that once operated on the Crujllas family's lands. The term 'degli Schiavi' comes from the Sicilian dialect word 'casteddu di scavi', referring to the lava stone quarrying work rather than slavery, despite popular misconceptions.
The castle is not open to the public every day, but group visits can be arranged upon request. Access is via the A18 highway with the Fiumefreddo di Sicilia exit, then heading toward the coast near Marina di Cottone.
The castle served as a filming location for Pier Paolo Pasolini in the 1960s and later for Francis Ford Coppola. These film productions brought international attention to the property and made it a cultural landmark for cinema enthusiasts.
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