Aci

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Shortened history of the castle :

The origins of Aci seems to belong to the mysterious greek city of Xiphonia, which has today disappeared.

Very little is known about this city before the beginning of the roman empire. The only fact which has never been denied is the one that Aci has participated in Punic wars.

The castle itself was bult by the Byzantines before being renovated by the Normans. It is standing above the sea on a huge promontory.

Opening times and additionnal information :

Di Caccamo

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Shortened history of the castle:

We know very little about the origins of the castle but to many, in the beginning stood a Punic settlement. The first document that relates a construction was written in the Middle Ages stating that it was a Norman settlement.

In 1480, Federico Henriquez, admiral of Castile, began transforming the castle by a series of renovations that will erase the precious medieval signs in converting it into a baronial palace, enriched by a series of rooms with interesting frescoes painted wooden ceilings and friezes.

On June 28, 1923, an earthquake striked the castle: first step of a progressive process of decadence of the castle.

The castle is owned since 1963 but Sicily and is finally being restored after having been in danger of falling apart due to earthquakes and neglect.

Opening times and additionnal information:

The castle isn't fully open to visitors and that's why entrance is today free. A guide is always available to accompany visitors through the rooms of the castle, to tell their legends and history and show the other jewels of Caccamo: its 33 churches (in honor of the anniversary of Christ). All this is completely free because the tourist guides are volunteers from the city of Caccamo.