Castello di Pentefur, Medieval castle ruins in Savoca, Italy
Castello di Pentefur is a castle ruin located in Savoca featuring surviving stone and brick walls with battlements and multiple window openings visible across its perimeter. The foundations of a quadrangular keep suggest the building's original layout and defensive purpose.
King Roger II of Sicily ordered the rebuilding of the castle in the 12th century, converting it into a summer retreat for the Archbishop of Messina. This reconstruction reflected the kingdom's efforts to establish control over coastal territories.
The castle was once part of a defensive network that protected the coast, working together with nearby towers and fortifications. These structures shaped how communities organized their settlement and safety in medieval Sicily.
The site is accessible through Via Chiesa Madre and has been made available to visitors thanks to restoration work carried out by the Nicòtina family. Visitors should expect uneven ground and exercise caution near the ruined walls.
Local legends speak of five fugitives from Taormina who supposedly built the castle, and the name Pentefur may derive from the five districts of ancient Savoca. This tale connects the building to the early settlement patterns that shaped the area.
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