Mussomeli Castle, Mussomeli, Italy

Mussomeli Castle is a magic and evocative palace where it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking view of the coastline. Built in 1370 by Manfredi Chiaramonte III, this Norman-Gothic castle stands in a strategic position overlooking the whole valley as it is on top of a high limestone crag almost 800 meters above sea level.

The Mussomeli Castle has not undergone radical changes throughout its history therefore you can get a clear idea of the Sicilian gothic style. The ruins of a great past have been well preserved. The castle was built on 3 levels: the chapel (with the precious alabaster depicting the Madonna della Catena 1516), the aristocratic apartments and an underground. with large halls, dungeons and torture cells. Here you will find the ‘Prison of Death’ where the condemned were kept till they were lowered through a passageway door and drowned.

References:

sicily.co.uk

User Reviews

Andy Green (13 months ago)
Beautiful place to enjoy the day

Donn Smith (2 years ago)
Castle closed early so we enjoyed the view from outside.

vinny cala (2 years ago)
Well worth the climb to the top to see this magnificent piece of history. Amazing views from the castle windows.

Fernando Gonzalez (2 years ago)
Extraordiary, Beautiful place.

Rebecca Bugeja (3 years ago)
Simply beautiful. The view is amazing, you cannot go to Mussomeli and not visit this spectacular castle!

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Royal Palace of Olite

The Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite was one of the seats of the Court of the Kingdom of Navarre, since the reign of Charles III 'the Noble' until its conquest by Castile (1512). The fortification is both castle and palace, although it was built more like a courtier building to fulfill a military function.

On an ancient Roman fortification was built during the reign of Sancho VII of Navarre (13th century) and extended by his successors Theobald I and Theobald II, which the latter was is installed in the palace in 1269 and there he signed the consent letter for the wedding of Blanche of Artois with his brother Henry I of Navarre, who in turn, Henry I since 1271 used the palace as a temporary residence. This ancient area is known as the Old Palace.

Then the palace was housing the Navarrese court from the 14th until 16th centuries, Since the annexation (integration) of the kingdom of Navarre for the Crown of Castile in 1512 began the decline of the castle and therefore its practically neglect and deterioration. At that time it was an official residence for the Viceroys of Navarre.

In 1813 Navarrese guerrilla fighter Espoz y Mina during the Napoleonic French Invasion burned the palace with the aim to French could not make forts in it, which almost brought in ruin. It is since 1937 when architects José and Javier Yarnoz Larrosa began the rehabilitation (except the non-damaged church) for the castle palace, giving it back its original appearance and see today. The restoration work was completed in 1967 and was paid by the Foral Government of Navarre.

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