Cefalù Castle
The Castle of Cefalù stands on the fortress of the same name, a limestone relief characterized by high sheer walls.
Used throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the castle then underwent extensive alterations between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, until the current abandonment. Since 1989, great geological consolidation and restoration of the structures have been started.
The fortification complex, consisting of a lower wall, an upper wall, and the castle on the summit, adapts to the topography of the site, and constitutes a real acropolis.
The lower walls dates back to the early Middle Ages and follows the edge of the fortress, protecting the entire summit area. The main access to the fortress and the fortifications is the gully that opens onto the west side of the relief. In the vast area enclosed by the walls there are numerous buildings: chapels, barracks for the garrison, ovens, warehouses, wall remains that are not easily identifiable and a large number of water cisterns. Local tradition also has it that seven churches existed above the fortress.
A steep path leads to the top of the fortress, enclosed by a second wall that protects the central nucleus of the castle, the upper wall.
The castle stands on the south side of the upper wall. The lower parts of the perimeter walls and the internal subdivision walls have been preserved from the ancient structure. The plan of the castle is irregularly pentagonal and has a massive quadrangular tower on the east side, opposite to the one on which the entrance opens. Another tower can be identified along the north side. Inside, about ten rooms have been identified, arranged respectively to the north and south of a sort of narrow courtyard.
