Castello di Terra, Medieval castle in Trapani, Italy
Castello di Terra is a medieval fortress in Trapani built at the harbor entrance to protect the city from the sea. The structure features semicircular towers along its walls and originally had a square layout with rectangular corner towers.
The fortress was built starting in 1186 as a harbor defense and was reinforced and modified over centuries. Archaeological excavations in 1992 uncovered sections of the original square layout.
The castle reflects Norman building styles and shows how Mediterranean defenses developed over time through different periods. The semicircular towers reveal construction traditions that evolved across several centuries.
The castle now serves as a police station and can be viewed from outside, particularly from the Lungomare Dante Alighieri promenade. The best views of the walls and towers are from the waterfront side.
The fortress had a military lookout post that constantly monitored the harbor and warned ships through signals. The stone towers still stand as reminders of this important role in maritime activities.
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