Among the numerous monuments left by the Normans all over Sicily, one of the most important is certainly Paternò Castle, a majestic parallelepiped-shaped construction 34 metres high that towers above the underlying town from the basalt crag on which it stands. The castle was built in 1072 over an already existing Arab fortress by Roger de Hauteville, who also ordered the construction of the castles at Motta, Adernò, Troina, Nicosia, Rometta, Castroreale, Vicari, Mazara, and Petralia. Between 1221 and 1223 the castle became part of Frederick II of Swabia's programme of military construction.

The tower at Paternò was designated as a place of sojourn for short visits by the Emperor, and acted as a rearguard stronghold protecting the plain of the River Simeto.

From the end of the 12th cent., during the reign of Charles of Anjou, until the end of the 14th, little is known of the Tower of Paternò. The castle was used as a prison from 1456 until 1860, when under the Bourbons it became public property.

The castle stands on three levels. The ample main hall, which opens immediately beyond the entrance, surmounted by a pointed arch, is lit by two single-light windows on the west side.

The chapel, which consists of a simple nave and a semicircular apse cut into the thickness of the wall, presents a series of tempera wall paintings dating from the days of Frederick II.

The first floor is divided longwise into two parts: to the east, there is a large hall (19.25 metres by 5.96), covered by an arched vault and illuminated by two-light limestone windows; the other part is divided into three square rooms (nearly 6 metres per side).

The main features of the second floor are an ample gallery (18.32 metres by 6.12) with a pointed arch, illuminated by two enormous two-light windows, one with a marble column and the other with a lava-stone column, both added during modifications in the 14th cent.

Details of the Paternò castle - "A Turri"

(click on the photos to enlarge)