Calatubo Castle, Medieval castle in Alcamo, Italy
Calatubo Castle is a fortification built on a limestone outcrop in Alcamo, rising 152 meters above the Gulf of Castellammare. The structure spans roughly 150 meters in length and shows a mix of Norman defensive works combined with later modifications.
The fortress was built around 1093 during the Norman period as part of a coastal defense network. It functioned as a signal station, using light to warn communities about Saracen raids coming from the sea.
The name comes from Arabic, referring to a water source near the site. You can see how different periods left their marks on the building, from Norman times through agricultural modifications that residents made over the centuries.
The castle is accessible only from the western side, where the single entrance opens into the first defense line, as three sides are blocked by sheer rock walls. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready for a steep climb, as the path crosses rocky terrain and uneven ground.
The site sits amid archaeological remains and caves that show signs of earlier habitation. These discoveries suggest the area was occupied for centuries before the Norman fortress was ever built.
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