Castello Grifeo, Medieval castle and art museum in Partanna, Italy
Castello Grifeo is a medieval castle and art museum in Partanna with four sides arranged around a rectangular courtyard. The structure features Guelph battlements and thick walls constructed with pozzolanic mortar and local stone.
The castle was first documented in 1355 as 'castrum Partannae cum habitatione' during Sicily's medieval period. It evolved over the centuries as a fortress and residence for local rulers.
The castle now contains the Regional Museum of Prehistory of Belice, where visitors can see pottery, human remains, and farming equipment from the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. The collection reveals how communities lived in this region thousands of years ago.
After restoration work in 2003 and 2007, the castle opened its rooms for cultural events and exhibitions. Plan enough time to explore both the building itself and the museum collections inside.
The main banquet hall contains a 1777 fresco showing Christian knights during the Battle of Mazara, including Count Roger of Sicily. This artwork blends local history with artistic craftsmanship from a much later period.
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