Colombaia Castle, Medieval fortress at western port, Italy
Colombaia Castle is an octagonal fortress rising from an island off Trapani, with multiple levels inside its main tower. Its irregular layout and elliptical perimeter with pointed bastions reflect how the structure adapted to its harbor setting.
The fortress was built around 260 BC during the First Punic War and served Romans as a station for carrier pigeons used in long-distance messaging. Later it functioned as a lighthouse under Arab rule and eventually took on other roles into modern times.
The name Colombaia comes from the Greek word for dove, reflecting its link to ancient Mediterranean traditions. Over the centuries, the structure served different functions that shaped how locals understood its place in their maritime heritage.
Access to the castle is mainly by boat tours departing from Trapani harbor, with trips lasting less than an hour and offering close views of the island structure. Visit during clearer weather when calmer seas allow boat services to operate reliably.
The Romans used this structure specifically as a pigeon station for sending messages across long distances, which set it apart from typical fortress purposes. This specialized function made it a key communication point in ancient Mediterranean trade routes.
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