Castello di Montalbano Elicona, Medieval castle in Montalbano Elicona, Italy
The Castello di Montalbano Elicona comprises two distinct structures: a Norman rectangular fortress with two defensive towers and an Aragonese quadrangular enclosure with arrow slits. Inside the main courtyard stand a 13th-century cistern, an external staircase from the 1400s, and an octagonal-domed royal chapel.
The Arab geographer Idrisi first recorded the site in 1154 as a quadrangular watchtower with protective walls overlooking the settlement below. Over the centuries, the structure evolved from a military stronghold into an aristocratic residence.
The Palatine Chapel of the Holy Trinity inside holds a monolithic sarcophagus with remains of the Catalan physician Arnaldo da Villanova. This sanctuary demonstrates how the fortress drew and preserved figures of importance across the centuries.
Entry to the fortress leads through a large courtyard with multiple levels and historical elements that reveal themselves as you explore. Wear comfortable shoes as the grounds are uneven with several stairs connecting different areas.
The fortress walls contain 46 arrow slits and 18 large windows, showing the transition from military stronghold to comfortable residence. This blend of defensive and residential features is rarely visible in local architecture.
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