Castello Normanno

Castello Normanno is a fortress in Adrano that serves as both a building and a cultural space today. The rectangular stone tower rises above the piazza and contains multiple ground floor chambers divided by a longitudinal wall, along with a regional archaeology museum, an art gallery, and historical archives.

Roger I of Sicily ordered construction of this fortress after 1073, likely building upon the foundations of an earlier Saracen tower. The structure marked Norman control over the region and later became an important administrative and cultural center.

The museum inside displays artifacts spanning from the Stone Age to the medieval period, with significant collections from the ancient Mendolito settlement. Visitors can understand the region's long history by examining these objects on display.

The location on Piazza Umberto 1 makes the building easy to find and accessible from the city center. The complex houses multiple exhibitions across different levels, so visitors should allow enough time to explore the various sections.

Two lions carved from volcanic stone stand at the museum entrance bearing the coat of arms of the noble Sclafani-Moncada family. These sculptures were once symbols of power and remind visitors of the long connection between local noble families and the fortress.

Location: Adrano

Inception: 1073

Founders: Roger I of Sicily

Address: Piazza Umberto I, 1 - 95031 Catania (CT)

GPS coordinates: 37.66245,14.83199

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:50