Colombaia Castle

Trapani, Italy

According to several historical documents, the fortifications in Colombaia island were built first time around the 260 BC, During the first Punic war. The Roman army tried several times to conquer this island, succeeding only in 247 BC, although they left it shortly after and left the territory totally in disuse, with the Castle of the Dovecote which quickly became a nest of doves that would have given way to the pagan worship of the goddess Venus Ericina, who sees his sacred animal in the dove. The arrival of the Arabi in Sicily allowed the Castello della Colombaia to finally find a new function, as it was used as a Lighthouse, being able to illuminate the seas and reactivating one of the most important military buildings until recently.

The arrival of the Aragonese in Sicily it was very important for the Castello della Colombaia, since, seeing its geographical position and the incredible advantages that it could have guaranteed, they decided to completely rebuild this military building, making it decidedly larger and more equipped than the first historical building. The works carried out by the Aragonese are still visible, as it is the same building that has come down to the present day. The Colombaia Castle was also one of the main fortifications during the reign of Charles V, as it allowed to spot and fight any incursions by pirates who intended to attack the Trapani coast. The expansion works also continued in the following centuries, with renovations that continued until the seventeenth century.

Architecture

The Colombaia Castle is tall well 32 meters articulated on 4 floors, each of which was used for particular functions. The entrance was only possible from the second floor, which is why the Colombaia Castle is thought to have been equipped with a drawbridge. The structure is very large and consists of a shape octagonal, inside which there are small streets that connect the various buildings, which include the guard post, two docks, chapels and courtyards.

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Trapani, Italy
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Details

Founded: 1280
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

sicilyintour.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Trapani Cathedral (1,2 km)
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Segesta Temple (30,5 km)
Segesta Greek Theatre (31,5 km)
Venere Castle (8,9 km)
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Motya (16,3 km)

User Reviews

Giuseppe Riela (2 years ago)
The Dovecote is one of the symbols of the City of Trapani. 32 meters high according to historical sources, they would like it somehow linked to the Trojan exiles (11th century BC the central nucleus was built around 260 BC by Amilcare Barca during the first war punica in 241 BC war won by the Romana fleet.The famous Rostro that allowed the Roman fleet to win battle of the Egadi, one is exposed to the Pepoli Museum of Trapani. With the victory of the Romans over the Carthaginians, the fortress was abandoned, becoming a huge knot of doves, animals sacred to Venus Ericina.Ricostrued by the Aragonese in the Middle Ages, around 1400 it was strengthened and destined, under the reign of Charles V to. to defend Trapani from Barbareschi pirates. outside, it was the subject of further interventions by the viceroy Claudius Lamoraldo, prince of Ligny.In X1X.secolo the Bourbons la.trasformano in prison and there were imprisoned Sicilian patriots, among them Michele Fardella, baron of Mokarta, who then in 1861 would have become mayor of Trapani. . .
Marco Pilato (2 years ago)
La Colombaia is one of the cornerstones of the Trapani area. It can be visited during the Colombaia Day, often in spring.
Miky Marki (2 years ago)
One of the treasures of drills. The sea castle dates back to 260 BC Medieval fortress located on a small island near the port of Trapani. It can be reached by boat on very few occasions during which the views are open. A suggestive scenario opens up to visitors' eyes. The management of the dovecote has been assigned to a company for its recovery. The project involves the construction of a museum center in the part of the tower and tourist-cultural activities in the warehouse area.
Sabrina Cafieri (2 years ago)
For the inhabitants of Trapani it is a symbol, we had the opportunity to visit it as part of the exhibition of the streets of treasures, an excellent initiative to visit Sicilian works with expert guides. Unfortunately the castle will be closed in November to make it a resort, but at least the inexorable ruin will stop. From the top you can enjoy a magnificent panorama
Berend Van Geffen (2 years ago)
Not worth visiting if possible at all. Unless you like fishing.
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The 19th century would therefore inherit an almost finished but mutilated building and would devote itself to its renovation according to the tastes and theories of the day.

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