Falconara Castle

Falconara Castle, locally known as Castello di Falconara, lies east of the city of Licata, in the Caltanissetta province on the island of Sicily in Italy.

In 1392 the site of Falconara and the County of Butera were granted to an Ugone di Santapau, by King Martin I of Sicily, as a reward for his support against opposing factions. Somewhere between 1392 and 1422 a square tower was built here, for coastal defense.

During the 16th century Falconara Castle was enlarged and strengthened. In 1540 the Principality of Butera went to the Branciforte family in the person of Ambrogio di Santapau Branciforte. Falconara Castle served to monitor and defend the coast against pirate raids, well into the 18th century. After the conquest of Algiers in 1830, its defensive purpose disappeared.

At the beginning of the 19th century the Princess of Butera, Caterina Branciforte, married a Hanoverian officer and diplomat, Georg Wilding. He enlarged the castle, turning it into a manor and built a section with a balcony and terrace facing the sea, which connected to the castle through a staircase. During the riots of 1848 the brother of the count, Ernest Wilding, sold the Falconara Castle and the title of baron to Antonio Chiaramonte Bordonaro, who also enlarged the castle.

At present Falconara Castle is a luxury hotel, so it can not be freely visited. A beautiful castle at a very nice seaside location.

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