Pepoli Castle

Erice, Italy

Therea re two castles in Erice, Pepoli Castle, with foundations dating from Arab times, and nearby Venus Castle, dating from the Norman period. Surrounded by a lush park, the hilltop castles alone are worth a stop in Erice, which offers charming old stone streets and several medieval churches. Pepoli Castle was at first a feudal stronghold, though Erice was eventually ceded to the Crown as a demesnial city. The view from the castle towers is stupendous. Though both castles have been modified somewhat over the centuries, they still have that distinctively medieval character one expects of such fortresses. Pepoli Castle is now a hotel.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 10-11th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

www.bestofsicily.com

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dan M (4 years ago)
Don't expect a huge or amazing piece of architecture, but as almost everywhere in Erice expect beautiful landscapes, which is why you shouldn't miss this it, it would be too bad. You will reach this place by walking the streets of this village and then finally get there, at the end of the village. You can also go straight from the Cable car by taking the southern street boarding the village till its end. You'll reach then 4 nice places: the Gardens of Balio, the Castello del Balio o Pepoli, this Torretta Pepoli and last the Castello di Venere. You'll have the opportunity to admire stunning landscapes spreading maybe up to hundred kilometers around. It is actually really beautiful and probably this should be more the purpose of this trip than visiting the village itself.
Ecuadorianbus Charter (4 years ago)
Pitty it was closed on our visit begining of marsh. We confess the westher was some windy and chilly but would have apreciatedca visit. From the outside it was looking atractive, specialy for my 13 years old son!
Miha S (4 years ago)
Good view from here
Ksay shade of (5 years ago)
Interesting architecture of this house. The best views on it - is from the mountain above it.
Richard Attoe (5 years ago)
Erice is a lovely hilltop village to walk around with stunning far reaching views. Lots to see and a few shops and nice restaurants. Free parking in low season. A must visit if you near.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle

Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.