Rating
4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)
Interesting Sites Nearby
Villa Romana del Casale (57,4 km)
San Giorgio Cathedral (16,6 km)
Late Baroque Town of Modica (17,6 km)
San Giuseppe Church (16,8 km)
Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte (39,9 km)
Duomo of San Giorgio (17,7 km)
Late Baroque Town of Caltagirone (39,8 km)
Chiesa del Purgatorio (16,2 km)
Santa Maria delle Scale (15,9 km)
User Reviews
Benjamin Kalish (11 months ago)
This incredibly well preserved castle is a hidden gem in the heart of southern Sicily. The castle is actually a compound structure consisting of an earlier moorish/norman castle and a later idealized palace constructed in the 1800s for the ruling aristocracy of Sicily. What's good: +The state of preservation +display signs are dual language +The cost of admission (6€ for the castle and grounds, 5€ for the museum) +The view from the terrace is amazing +the grounds are beautiful and expansive +the original furniture (its eye opening to compare what was considered high end then to what we have now) +the stone maze was great for the kids (the walls between 5.5 feet and 6 feet tall) it has a single entrance/exit and you go to the middle. You go back out the way you came it) +the old growth trees are great for climbing. +the restaurant just before you enter is some of the best pasta we had in our 2.5 years in Italy. If its busy, make a reservation on your way up to the castle. +parking is plentiful and cheap at 2€ What's not so great -the drive. There is no convenient way to get there from anywhere you are likely to stay. But it is a really pretty drive through parts of the countryside you wont normally get to see. Overall, this castle was well worth the trip out to see it. It's about a 2 hour drive from Catania if you go slow and is substantially less if you pick up the pace a little. The attendants speak some English if you need a little help; but, as always, try to start with Italian first if you can. If you get there early, you will need to pay for parking on the way out. Exact change is expected and appreciated.
This incredibly well preserved castle is a hidden gem in the heart of southern Sicily. The castle is actually a compound structure consisting of an earlier moorish/norman castle and a later idealized palace constructed in the 1800s for the ruling aristocracy of Sicily. What's good: +The state of preservation +display signs are dual language +The cost of admission (6€ for the castle and grounds, 5€ for the museum) +The view from the terrace is amazing +the grounds are beautiful and expansive +the original furniture (its eye opening to compare what was considered high end then to what we have now) +the stone maze was great for the kids (the walls between 5.5 feet and 6 feet tall) it has a single entrance/exit and you go to the middle. You go back out the way you came it) +the old growth trees are great for climbing. +the restaurant just before you enter is some of the best pasta we had in our 2.5 years in Italy. If its busy, make a reservation on your way up to the castle. +parking is plentiful and cheap at 2€ What's not so great -the drive. There is no convenient way to get there from anywhere you are likely to stay. But it is a really pretty drive through parts of the countryside you wont normally get to see. Overall, this castle was well worth the trip out to see it. It's about a 2 hour drive from Catania if you go slow and is substantially less if you pick up the pace a little. The attendants speak some English if you need a little help; but, as always, try to start with Italian first if you can. If you get there early, you will need to pay for parking on the way out. Exact change is expected and appreciated.
Mr Lofty (12 months ago)
Amazing hidden gem like a National Trust property and the best trattoria ever in the road up to the entrance. Massive salad, enormous pizzas, everything tasted delicious, & just normal prices.
Amazing hidden gem like a National Trust property and the best trattoria ever in the road up to the entrance. Massive salad, enormous pizzas, everything tasted delicious, & just normal prices.
Lila Laub (12 months ago)
Worthwhile visit, gardens and grounds lovely with shady benches to hide from the sun.
Worthwhile visit, gardens and grounds lovely with shady benches to hide from the sun.
Peter Reime (13 months ago)
Beautiful if somewhat aging former residence with fully furnished rooms to view and some magnificent gardens (if a little unkempt). The self guided tour follows a single route through the building on the first floor with info panels in English & Italian. Parking in the large gravel car park is €2 all day (note: there is little shade)
Beautiful if somewhat aging former residence with fully furnished rooms to view and some magnificent gardens (if a little unkempt). The self guided tour follows a single route through the building on the first floor with info panels in English & Italian. Parking in the large gravel car park is €2 all day (note: there is little shade)
Will Falconer (13 months ago)
In an area of outstanding baroque architecture it's quite a relief to find something a bit different, in this case 19th century fake. The Venetian front looks superb and the whole palace has a certain grandeur but the interior doesn't look very comfortable or particularly grand. But as I only went there to see the terrace where Inspector Montalbano was greeted by the Mafia boss I was pleasantly surprised!
In an area of outstanding baroque architecture it's quite a relief to find something a bit different, in this case 19th century fake. The Venetian front looks superb and the whole palace has a certain grandeur but the interior doesn't look very comfortable or particularly grand. But as I only went there to see the terrace where Inspector Montalbano was greeted by the Mafia boss I was pleasantly surprised!
