Among the rock castles of Sicily, this is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating. During the War of the Vespers of 1282, a host of French soldiers barricaded themselves here, resisting the siege of the garrisons of Peter I of Aragon for more than a year. Today this episode is remembered by a writing engraved on the arch in the entrance hall: "Quod Siculis placuit sola Sperlinga negavit" which in Italian quotes: "Sola Sperlinga acconsentir non volse a quel che fe' tutta la Sicilia insieme". This was a source of pride on the part of the local population for having separated themselves from the rest of the Sicilians, so much so that even today they are distinguished by their Gallo-Italic dialect, jealously preserved... #tuttitaly
Perched between the Nebrodi Mountains and the Madonie Mountains, almost at the heart of Sicily, stands the majestic Castle of Sperlinga. A testament to the island's rich history, this castle is a unique blend of ancient and medieval architecture. Part of it was hewn from a colossal sandstone massif by the Siculi as early as the 12th century BC, while the rest was built around the year 1000. This distinctive combination makes the Castle of Sperlinga one of the most captivating rock castles in Sicily.
In 1282, the Castle of Sperlinga was the stage for a historic event during the Sicilian Vespers. A French garrison took refuge within its walls, bravely resisting a year-long siege. This remarkable episode is still commemorated today by an inscription from the 16th century on the castle's entrance arch: "Quod Siculis placuit sola Sperlinga negavit" (What pleased the Sicilians, only Sperlinga denied).
Crossing the drawbridge, one enters the castle's heart through a series of incredible rooms where human ingenuity merges with natural beauty. The rocks are transformed into stables for horses, metalworking workshops, prisons, water tanks, and warehouses for supplies. One of the most curious rooms is a circular chamber with twelve small niches spaced on the wall, which some believe was a place of worship while others think it was used for time measurement.
The steep stairs carved into the rock lead to the castle tower, from which one can enjoy a breathtaking view where the world seems to bend at the feet of the beholder. Another point of interest is the "aggrottato", the side of the castle that overlooks the village and is dotted with around fifty artificial caves, once dwellings carved into the rocks and connected by intricate passages.
Today, some of these caves have become part of a charming rock village, and some have been transformed into ethnographic museums thanks to the municipality's intervention. The Castle of Sperlinga thus represents a real journey through time, in a place where history and nature blend into a unique and fascinating experience not to be missed during a visit to Sicily.
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