Bauso Castle in Villafranca Tirrena

Il Castle of Bauso in Villafranca is a typical building of military architecture in the Metropolitan City of Messina and honorably tells its long history, stone after stone: built in 1590, it is still in excellent condition today, thus allowing all visitors to discover a part of the history of the island with the perfect testimony of this place, in a refined and elegant atmosphere.

The Castle was built by the will of the Messina banker and count Stephen Cottone, appointed by Philip II of Spain. The count wanted a place to stay when he was in the Villafranca area for economic reasons: the castle was then called Castel Nuovo and occasionally hosted the count's family as well. The fortified structure made the building a perfect hiding place for the inhabitants of Villafranca at the time of the Barbary attacks, while the Bauso Castle property passed to the Pettini family in 1819.

The architecture of the Castle of Bauso in Villafranca

The building, elegant and at the same time fortified, lived many lives, from a simple residence and fortress, to becoming a reception place for the Spanish royals. The splendor and elegance of the rooms were in fact much appreciated by the Pettinis, the new owners of the Castle of Bauso in Villafranca, who preferred not to change its features. Here then we can still admire the palace with its original walls, equipped with bastions, which climbs the hill and is interrupted by the access door.

The elegant rooms, among marbles, ceramics and decorations, are especially appreciated for the fireplaces and statues that adorn the rooms Renaissance style. Among the statues that you can admire in the castle, the busts of Dante and Virgil, as well as Tasso and other poets, making the atmosphere even more evocative.

Lo Pettini coat of arms it was later frescoed on the ceiling of the castle.

What to do at Castello di Bauso in Villafranca and its surroundings

Reaching Villafranca to visit the Bauso Castle could also inspire you to organize a stay in the town: at the Bauso Castle in Villafranca you can admire great beauties, in the palace (including the gardens) and in the surrounding area, so choosing a hotel in Villafranca will the perfect solution to fully explore this corner of Sicily.

Imagine yourself at sunset while walking on the Villafranca Tirrena beach o Rometta Tide, enjoying an ice cream or getting ready for a dinner by the sea where you will taste Sicilian rolls, vermicelli or fish soup: this, however, only after having explored the centre, where you will find the Mother Church of San Nicolò di Bari , Church of San Gregorio Magno, but also the modern building of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Don't forget to make a stop at the delightful Cloister of the Ecce Homo of Calvaruso and then head towards the Castle of Bauso! Or start from the Gardens of the Castle, to then explore the whole center.

In the surroundings of Villafranca, there is no shortage of attractions: the Diocesan Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Catena, the Sanctuary of Dinnammare and the San Jachiddu Ecological Park, can be easily reached.

Messina, on the Ionian coast of Sicily, can be reached with a very short journey of just 17 km; among the most beautiful beaches in the area, we point out that of the Montagne di Sabbia 13 km away towards Messina or the wonderful area of ​​the Piscina di Venere, at Capo Milazzo (about 29 km): if you decide to move towards the promontory, you can also explore the beautiful town of Milazzo with the port, from which you embark towards the Aeolian Islands.

How to get to the Castle of Bauso in Villafranca

Villafranca Tirrena, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be easily reached by car and train. In the car, take the A20 Messina-Buonfornello and proceed to the exit for Rometta, 1 km from the centre; on the train, getting off at Messina Central Station (12 km from the town) you can continue your journey by bus or shuttle. Once in Villafranca Tirrena, you can reach Bauso Castle with a short walk of only 600 meters.

Ephems, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons