Chiaramonte Castle

The small fort has Arab origins. It was at the beginning of the XIV century that Federico Chiaramonte, appointed baron of Siculiana, reconstructed it and gave it its splendour. The wedding of Costanza, daughter of Federico Chiaramonte, to the noble Brancaleone Doria, was celebrated in the castle in 1311. Numerous weddings and noble agreements were consecrated in the castle, encouraged by an ancient belief that completed pacts must be blessed by Providence on the “Fortress”. A small church, formerly dedicated to Saint Lawrence and then to Our Lady of Angels, was placed in the south wing of the Manor. This was the first seat of worship to the Holy Crucifix.

The Manor was passed down through the hands of various barons of Siculiana. In the XX century it was modified by the Agnello-Alfani, who demolished the “Noble Quarter” in order to construct a luxurious neo-Gothic style villa. Today the castle is owned privately and the ancient ruins have been enlarged and renovated. It is open to the public with an entrance fee.