- UNESCO
Photo: gnuckx, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Area
- 40 m²
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 37°33′15″ N, 15°08′58″ E
- Address
- Piazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello
History and description
The Castello Normanno ("Norman Castle"), or alternatively the Castello di Aci ("Castle of Aci"; Sicilian: Casteddu di Iaci), is a castle in Aci Castello in the Metropolitan City of Catania in Sicily, southern Italy. The castle is situated on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea. Its precise date of construction is uncertain, but it was important to the development of its region during the Middle Ages. During the War of the Sicilian Vespers, it was under the ownership of Roger of Lauria. It was besieged more than once, and was briefly controlled by the Spanish. It is currently a museum.
History
The town of Aci Castello developed around the castle, which was built in 1076 by the Normans upon the foundations of a 7th-century Byzantine fortification. In 1169, Aci Castello started to expand after an eruption of Mount Etna made the towns in its vicinity uninhabitable. The castle later became the property of the Bishops of Catania.
In 1296, Roger of Lauria, admiral of the Aragonese fleet during the War of the Sicilian Vespers, was granted the fief of Aci and its castle as a reward for his faithful service to King Frederick III of Sicily. When relations between the two men soured and di Lauria transferred his loyalties to the Angevins, the castle was besieged and captured by King Frederick and di Lauria stripped of his fiefs. In 1320, the castle and Aci were taken from Roger's daughter, Margaret of Lauria and given to Blasco II de Alagona. Whilst the latter was away defending Palermo from the attacking Angevins, Bertrando di Balzo sacked Aci in his absence.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Castello Normanno».
Photos
Getting there
CannizzaroTrain, nearest
1.9 km as the crow flies
Castello NormannoPiazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello
Port8.0 km
Aeroporto di Catania Fontanarossa12.2 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Sicily
Frequently asked questions
Where is Castello Normanno?
Castello Normanno is in Aci Castello, in the province of Catania (Sicily), Italy. Address: Piazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello. GPS coordinates: 37.55420, 15.14952.
What else is there to see near Castello Normanno?
Nearby you’ll find: Santa Venera al Pozzo (3.2 km away), Palazzo Duca di Camastra (4.8 km away), Palazzo Riggio, Aci Catena (5.2 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Aci Castello Sicily Italy - Creative Commons by gnuckx (5085398127) — gnuckx, CC BY 2.0
- 'Ntoni, riproduzione, castello di Aci — Iron Bishop, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - 2018-07-25 — Eleassar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - Castello di Aci - 2025-09-08 13-28-23 001 — Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - Castello di Aci - 2025-09-09 10-47-45 001 — Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - Castello di Aci - 2025-09-11 09-43-20 001 — Cristina Morettini 95, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - Palazzo comunale e castello — GiovanniPen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aci Castello - panoramio — trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aci Castello (2009) -17- — Eduardo M. from Nice, France, CC BY 2.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences