Punta Troia Castle, Medieval castle in Favignana, Italy
Punta Troia Castle is a fortress built on a rocky headland at the western tip of Sicily, featuring Norman-style stone construction with sturdy defensive walls. The structure consists of multiple chambers and underground spaces carved into the rock, arranged to provide both protection and internal living quarters.
A Norman ruler had this fortress built around 1140 by converting an earlier Arab watchtower into a reinforced castle. Later the structure served as a prison, and it remained important in protecting the western Mediterranean coast.
The name comes from its location on a rocky headland jutting into the sea off western Sicily. Today visitors can walk through chambers that once held prisoners and experience how the fortress was used across different periods.
Access involves walking across a rocky path, so comfortable sturdy shoes are recommended for uneven surfaces. Guided tours are available on-site to help visitors understand the different rooms and the site's history.
The fortress now houses both a prison museum and an observation center for a rare seal species that lives in the surrounding marine area. This dual purpose shows how historic sites have found new roles in wildlife protection.
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