Santapau Castle, Medieval fortress in Licodia Eubea, Italy.
Santapau Castle stands on a hilltop in Licodia Eubea in eastern Sicily, defined by six cylindrical towers and thick defensive walls that overlook the surrounding valley. The remains include underground passages, intact towers, and perimeter walls that can be explored throughout the site.
First officially documented in 1274, the fortress developed from earlier Byzantine fortifications that were later reconstructed during the Angevin period under Charles I. The layering of defenses shows how the site evolved as a military stronghold over centuries.
The Santapau family, originally from Catalonia, received this fortress in 1392 from King Martin I of Sicily as a reward for their services. The family's name remains deeply connected to local identity and the region's past.
The site is accessible from the SS 417 highway and has paths leading to the ruins that can be explored. Bring water and sturdy footwear, as the terrain is uneven and walkways are not always paved.
The underground passages are built with clay bricks in late Roman style, pointing to a much earlier Byzantine fortification beneath the medieval structure. This building material and construction method stand out clearly from the later medieval techniques used elsewhere on the fortress.
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