Castiglione Castle

Castiglione - Castello di Lauri

The castle was first mentioned in a diploma of King Roger (d.1154) as Quastallum da Edrisi, although it appears to date back to the Byzantine period. The castle probably remained in Crown hands, although it was garrisoned by Peter Ruffo of Messina (d.1256+) at some time after the death of Frederick II in 1250. After Peter's defeat at Piazza Armerina in November 1254 it was surrendered by him to the Messinans. Under King James (1282-85) the castle was passed to Roger Lauria of Aci (d.1305) and he seems to have sub-infeudated his nephew, John (d.1298) and both revolted taking their castles over to the Angevin cause in 1296 on the accession of King Frederick III (d.1337).

Description
The remains are now subsumed by later buildings clustered on top of the castle rock. On the northwest crag is the stump of a pentagonal keep with a small courtyard to the north. On the southeast crag is an arrow shaped enclosure with a lower ward to the west. Between the two is Saint Maria's basilica.

Why not join me at other Sicilian castles? Information on this and other tours can be found at Scholarly Sojourns.

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