The Castle of Santa Caterina is located on the summit of Monte Santa Caterina from which the entire island of Favignana is dominated. It is a castle that during the modern era was the protagonist of many reconstructions and today is monumental and of great beauty.
Built as a watchtower in the ninth century AD, during the reign of Roger d'Altavilla, in 1081, it was enlarged and, in the fifteenth century, strengthened by Andrea Rizzo, Lord of Favignana, who had it restored in its current form, with stone of tuff obtained on the island, in order to counteract the frequent Saracen attacks. In 1655, the fort was remodeled to be sent to prison by the Bourbons from 1794 to 1860. About 32,000 people suffered the prison in Santa Caterina. During the 1860 uprising, which led to the unification of Italy, the castle was looted and devastated. After various uses, it was used during the Second World War and equipped with artillery posts to defend the island. He is currently in a state of neglect.
Erected in local limestone with a rectangular shape with symmetrical projections to the four corners, the castle of Santa Caterina was equipped with a ground floor buried in the rock and used, since the seventeenth century, the reception of political prisoners. The first floor consisted of premises likely to house the garrison and overlooked by the sighting terrace. A small moat ran along the facade and the entrance was possible through a drawbridge. The light inside the castle penetrated through a large number of ogival windows, loopholes, glimmers and holes. On the upper floor there were a series of low vaulted rooms that belonged to officers and soldiers. There was also a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine where the priest officiated Mass for the inmates. It can therefore be assumed that the name of Santa Caterina derives from the church or chapel of which the Normans built the castle.
Favignana -Tonnara Florio
The former Tuna-fish Establishment: Tonnara Florio
Favignana -Cala Rossa Bay
one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Levanzo - Genoese Cave (Grotta del Genovese)
It was discovered in 1949 to the northwest by the small seaside village of Levanzo.
Favignana - Lovers’ Cave - Grotta degli Innamorati
A splendid cave, crystal clear sea, a romantic story.
Favignana - Cala Azzurra Bay
The bay that takes its name from the color of the sea
Favignana - Bue Marino Bay
One of the most particular dreams of Favignana.
Levanzo - Capo Grosso
The most suggestive cliff of the egadi
The nature reserve of the Saline Trapani and Paceco
The nature reserve that contains a thousand-year history.
The history of the Florio Family
A successful entrepreneurial dynasty
Favignana Island
The butterfly-shaped island, wonder of the Egadi
Favignana - Beach of Lido Burrone
Lido Burrone, the equipped beach of Favignana.
Favignana - Cala San Nicola beach
Small beach on the south side.
Favignana - Grotta Perciata
A lovely place to immerse yourself in contact with nature.
Colicchia Pastry Ice cream Granita trapani
The historic Trapanese pastry and the granita that awakens the taste buds.
Marettimo Island
Sea, nature and history set in what is the pearl of the Mediterranean.
Cous Cous Fest San Vito Lo Capo
A fantastic combination of flavors and traditions
Natural Reserve of Mountain Cofano
The perfect combination of history and nature
Zingaro Nature Reserve
One of the most magical corners of Sicily where land and sea dance in unison
San Vito Lo Capo City
The ideal destination for your holidays in Sicily.
Gioacchino Cataldo Last Rais of the Tonnara of Favignana
Gioacchino Cataldo was the last "rais", the eighth in the history of the Florio-owned plant.
Favignana - Beach of Scalo Cavallo
The beach born from an old tuff quarry
Erice
Discovering the "Medieval village of Erice"
Favignana - Praia Beach
beach near the center of the village
Favignana - Bay of Cala Rotonda
When Mother Nature creates wonders!
Island of Levanzo
Levanzo, the most romantic and small island of the Egadi
Cala Fredda (Fridda) Beach - Levanzo
Cala Fredda a small beach composed of rocks.
Cala Minnola Beach - Levanzo
The beach known for its pine forest overlooking the sea.
Favignana - Punta Longa Beach
Known for its enchanting and characteristic fishing harbour.
Favignana - Cala Grande Beach
Perfect place to relax and enjoy the tranquility.
Scopello
Scopello - La Tonnara
Place where sea and history meet in a unique beauty.
Scopello - Faraglioni beach
Little corner of paradise.
Scopello - Guidaloca beach
Seaside village of Castellammare del Golfo
One of the most wonderful seaside villages in Italy.
Palermo
Palermo, the largest city in Sicily, fascinating, rich in history and culture.
Palermo - Isola delle Femmine
The Isola delle Femmine is a small islet surrounded by myth and legend
Palermo - Beach Addaura
Addaura, one of Palermo's oldest jewels.
Palermo - “Monte Pellegrino” nature reserve
Among the unmissable and magical places of Palermo with a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Palermo - Villa Igiea
The emblem of the liberty style in Palermo.
Palermo - Grotta della Regina
One of the jewels of Palermo, a fascinating and mysterious place.
Palermo - The city of Street Food
Palermo is a city rich in history and culture, this is also inevitably reflected in its gastronomy.
Palermo - La Cala
La Cala is an unmissable destination for anyone visiting Palermo.
Palermo - Mondello
Mondello is a very popular tourist destination, thanks to its natural beauty, its history and its lively social life.
Palermo - Spiaggia Vergine Maria
An ideal destination for those visiting Palermo and looking for a quiet and evocative place to spend a day at the seaside.
Palermo - Nature reserve “Capo Gallo”
Among the most beautiful reserves in Sicily, a suggestive place, with high cliffs overlooking the sea.
I Leoni di Sicilia
The Florios: a successful and legendary family
Messina - Giardini Naxos Beach
The Giardini Naxos beach is one of the most beautiful and renowned on the Sicilian coast
Taormina - Grotta dell’amore
It has always been considered a romantic and ideal place for lovers due to its intimate and evocative atmosphere.
Taormina - Isola bella
In front of the coast of Taormina, immersed in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, stands Isola Bella, a small islet of rare beauty.
Taormina - Grotta Azzurra
A natural cavity with a magical and mysterious charm, under the promontory of Capo Taormina, hidden between the cliffs overlooking the sea.
Taormina - Mazzarò
A few kilometers from Taormina, lies Mazzarò, an ancient seaside village of rare beauty.
Taormina - Baia delle Sirene
Nestled between Capo Taormina and Isola Bella, lies the Baia delle Sirene, a place of rare wild beauty.
Taormina
On the eastern coast of Sicily, it was born on a natural terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea, one of the most renowned tourist locations in the world.
Taormina - Anfiteatro Greco/Romano
The Greco-Roman Amphitheater of Taormina is an ancient jewel with breathtaking views, an architectural masterpiece.
Taormina - Lo scoglio di Zio Gennaro
A few steps from Taormina, immersed in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, is the Scoglio dello Zio Gennaro.
Taormina - The white lotus (the series)
Taormina set of the series "The White Lotus": a perfect combination of ancient charm and worldliness, an international success.