Norman Castle, Paterno
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Norman Castle is located in the south of Sicily, on the western border of Paterno, 20 km from Catania. The three-story structure was built in the form of a rectangle, 34 m high. Its roof was decorated with Ghibelline dovetails in the form of a swallowtail, which is now hardly preserved. The building has a remarkable visual effect – the gray volcanic stones from which the castle is built, contrast with the Gothic window frames created from white limestone.
History of the Castello Normanno
The castle was built by the Norman Earl Roger I in 1072 to protect the valley of the Simeto River from Arab raids. Over time, the raids became less often, and then they ceased altogether and the castle lost its strategic importance, turning into the residence of the rulers of Sicily.
At different times Eleanor of Anjou, Friedrich II, Queen Blancha I of Navarre, Federico II and others have lived in the castle. Over time, the building began to decline. In 1431, it was bought by a Sicilian aristocratic family. In subsequent centuries, it was a prison. In the 19th century the castle was restored, its original Gothic appearance was returned to it.
Interesting facts
The Norman Count Robert Guiscard, who won Sicily from the Arabs, transferred the ruling of the island to his brother Roger, continuing his campaign on the mainland. Roger laid the foundations of a unique multinational state in which the Normans, Greeks and Arabs could live freely and peacefully, following their cultural traditions.
At the same time, Roger, who lived in the Norman Castle, was famous for his despotism, and built a rigid vertical power. The golden age of Sicily had no analogues either in medieval Europe, or in other well-known eras.
The Castle today
Today the castle is well preserved. During construction, a volcanic stone was used. The thickness of the walls reaches 2.6 m. The towers of the castle Adrano and Motta are made exclusively of volcanic stone. The castle itself has three floors.
- The first floor consists of several rooms. One of them, for example, was used to collect water. There is also a chapel decorated with frescoes of the 13th century.
- On the second floor there is a spacious room, with two windows that are noteworthy. One of them is painted white, the other – in a dark color, symbolizing the dawn and sunset. Some researchers suggest that the castle could also be used as an astronomical observatory.
- The third floor is a chamber.
The castle of Normanno offers a magnificent view of the city of Paterno and the mount Etna. There is no permanent working hours schedule of the castle and it is smart to arrange the visit in advance. The Night in the castle and other activities are sometimes held here.
How to get there
Norman Castle in Paterno is located on Via dei Normanni. You can get to the city from Catania by bus. Bus services run irregularly, it is better to rent a car. The city of Paterno is small, it is quite possible to see it in one day.