Castle of Sperlinga, Medieval castle in Sperlinga, Italy.
Castle of Sperlinga is a rock-carved fortress that rises on a mountainside around 750 meters above sea level, featuring multiple levels cut directly into the stone. The structure contains stables, a forge, prison cells, and a hall with mullioned windows that look out onto a natural courtyard.
The fortress was founded in the Middle Ages and gained prominence in 1282 during the Sicilian Vespers uprising, when it remained the only stronghold on the island to stay loyal to French rule for an entire year. This episode made it a symbol of medieval resistance in the region.
The name comes from the Arabic word 'Spalingia', a hint at the mixed cultural roots visible in how the fortress blends cave dwellings with medieval defenses. This combination reflects how Norman and Arab building traditions merged in Sicily.
The location sits on a hillside and is best explored on foot, as you need to move through multiple levels and passages. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to visit all the cave spaces.
Inside are roughly 50 interconnected grottos that remained inhabited until the 1960s and now house an ethnographic museum. These caves tell the story of generations of people who lived in close connection with the rocky landscape.
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