Castle of Aci, Norman castle and museum in Aci Castello, Italy
Castle of Aci sits on a volcanic rock outcrop rising above the Ionian Sea, reached by climbing a stone staircase. Inside, Greek-Roman amphorae, prehistoric stone tools, mineral specimens, and fossil remains trace the geological and human story of this coastal region.
Byzantine forces built the original fortress in the 7th century on top of Roman ruins, later rebuilt by Normans into a defensive stronghold. This layering of different rulers shows how successive powers recognized and controlled this important coastal position.
The castle reflects how the sea and volcanic landscape have shaped life in this village for centuries. Inside, you can see how people traded, settled, and adapted to living near both water and stone.
The steep stone staircase requires solid footing and sturdy shoes to climb safely. The three museum collections are manageable in size and can be viewed in an hour or two.
The paleontology section holds fossils of heart-shaped Isocardiacea shells and skeletal remains of extinct dwarf elephants that once roamed this area. These discoveries reveal how different animal life was in ancient times.
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