Taormina Castle

Taormina Castle, locally known as Castello di Taormina or Castello Saraceno, lies on a mount above the town of the same name, in the Messina province on the island of Sicily in Italy.

When Taormina Castle was built is unknown. Most probably it was the site of the antique acropolis of the Greek town of Taormina. The Romans and later the Byzantines must have strengthened the site. In 902 AD the town fell to the Muslims after a siege of 2 years. They rebuilt the castle into its present form with a trapezoid plan adapted to the shape of the rock and crenelated walls.

In 1078, the Norman count, Roger I of Sicily, conquered the town of Taormina from the Muslims. In 1134 the castle was used by the San Salvatore la Placa monastery.

At present Taormina Castle stands empty and can not be visited. A very nice castle. On a mount above the castle is another one; Castelmola Castle.

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