Castello di Poggiodiana, Castle ruin in Ribera, Italy

Castello di Poggiodiana sits on a hilltop overlooking the Verdura River valley. It features a cylindrical tower and perimeter walls that stretch across the site.

The castle was built in the 12th century by the Normans to defend nearby communities and the lands between the Platani (Eraclea Minoa) and Triocala (Caltabellotta). Until the 14th century it was known by the Saracen name Misilcassino, meaning 'place of descent on horseback'. It passed by inheritance from the Maletta family to Scaloro degli Uberti, was confiscated for felony, and then went to the Monterosso, Chiaramonte and Peralta families. In the 15th century it passed to the counts of Luna and was renamed Poggiodiana after Diana Moncada, daughter of Luigi Guglielmo Moncada, prince of Paternò, and wife of Vincenzo Luna.

The tower appears on Ribera's coat of arms, shown as a golden crenellated structure on a green mountain against a blue background. This symbol shows how deeply the fortress connects to the town's identity.

The site is open to explore with remains of towers and wall sections, though structures are limited. Wear sturdy shoes as the hilltop is steep with uneven ground.

The name Poggiodiana honours Diana Moncada, daughter of Luigi Guglielmo Moncada, prince of Paternò, and wife of Vincenzo Luna. The castle passed to the Luna counts in the 15th century, and the earlier Saracen name Misilcassino, meaning "place of descent on horseback", was used until the 14th century.