Adrano Castle

Adrano Castle, locally known as Castello di Adrano, lies in the town of the same name, in the Catania province on the island of Sicily in Italy.

The town of Adrano dates back to pre-Grecian times and the Greek and Romans would surely have had some sort of fortifications.

The rectangular keep of Adrano Castle was built in the last part of the 11th century by the Normans, after they had conquered Sicily from the Muslims. They probably built the keep on the ruins of a pre-existing Muslim fortress at this site. Its purpose was to ensure control over a large portion of the surrounding Etna area.

The Norman Count Roger I first gave the castle to his niece Adelasia. Becoming a nun, she did not leave heirs so the castle went to Roger of Aquila. In 1185 it went to a Gualtiero Parisi, who was followed by the Pellegrino family.

In 1300, Adrano Castle and its estate came, through marriage, in the hands of Matteo Sclafani. Sclafani, in 1354, decided to appoint his nephew Matteo Peralta as heir of the estate instead of other suitors, amongst whom Matteo Moncada. In reaction Moncada seized the town and castle, after which it stayed in the Moncada family until 1713.

The ramparts, with its peculiar shaped corners, surrounding the keep was built somewhere around the 16th century.

At the end of the 17th century Adrano Castle was transformed into a prison by the Bourbon administration of Sicily. At first they only used the ground floor and later on also the first floor. This usage of the castle lasted until 1958 when it was turned over to the state and subsequently restored.

Adrano Castle is quite similar to nearby Paternò and Motta Sant'Anastasia Castle; both also rectangular Norman keeps dating back to the same period.

At present Adrano Castle houses an archaeological museum and can be visited for a small fee. Through several wall stairs you can get to the roof of the, 35 meters high, keep where you will get a great view over the town and to the Etna. A very impressive and compact castle.

Gallery