Visit
Address: Piazza Del Popolo, 4, 98040, Roccavaldina (ME)
Contacts: +39 328 3484342
ilcastellodiroccavaldina@gmail.com
Guided Tours by Appointment: Guided tours offer the opportunity to discover the most fascinating historical events concerning the Castle. Visits take place by appointment, by contacting: +39 328 3484342
In a town of about 1,000 inhabitants located halfway between Messina and Milazzo comes to life the Castle of Roccavaldina, the most important and significant historical-architectural testimony of Roccavaldina. It is a majestic construction that initially arose as a defensive structure and was later enlarged and used as a princely residence by the noble family of Prinicipi Valdina. The castle has a typical Norman-Swabian facade with a medieval configuration of two fortified towers and Guelph battlements and a grandiose pointed arch portal. From here opens a precious five-arched Renaissance loggia attributed to either Camillo Camilliani or Jacopo Del Duca, both disciples of Michelangelo, and a monumental entrance staircase of marble from the renowned but now extinct Billiemi quarry.
The castle is unique in that it is the only Florentine-style castle in Sicily. On the marble lintels of the doors and windows alternate a pine cone and a shell in an exuberant Baroque-like style that anticipates the Sicilian world of the 17th century. On the north side of the castle a surprise Ghibelline battlements contrast with the Guelph front battlements.
Today the Castle of Roccavaldina is the private home of the last descendants of this ancient noble family, who do their utmost to make this historical-architectural masterpiece known, making it available to the community.
