The Caccamo Castle is placed in the province of Palermo, near Termini Imerese and the North-West coast of Sicily (Italy). Majestic and placed on a rock in a strategic position at 521 meters o.s.l, the picturesque Caccamo castle is one of the most impressive and ones better preserved in Sicily and in Italy too. The date of building is unsure, a first foundation, according to recent studies, it seems to have been made in the Middle Ages, about the XII century, and however not before the Norman period. The presence of the castle is sure in the XIV century when the Angioini tried to take possession of it, attempt then failed for the widening of the original structure wanted by the Chiaramonte family of Palermo, and for the new watch towers. Symbol of the Chiaramonte’s feudal power up to their decline in the 1392, the castle subsequently became property of the Prades family, which extended the structure by creating new rooms like the "weapons room". After the Prades the castle was of Amato’s family ownership up to 1813. Remarkable transformations were made on the structure by this family, which turned it into baronial residence, enriching it of halls and frescos and deleting the military appearance typical of the medieval period. The earthquake of 1923 was the beginning of a series of collapses which involved the whole structure today in restoration and municipal property. From the access ramp delimited by walls one arrives to the main foyer, where we notice the ancient Carthage symbol, the horse head with the three legs of Sicily more. The link between Caccamo and Carthage it seems to be related to the name itself of this town. The Caccamo name, in fact, originates from "caccabe", horse head, ancient Carthage symbol. The Prades room is near the main entrance hall, court theatre in the past then audiences room. From the courtyard in front of the chapel is possible get down to prisons dug in the rock, an underground damp and dreadful place. Nothing has remained today of the castle’s furnishings that is partially visitable with free local guides which will describe you this ancient fortress.
|
