Chadra Castle in Francofonte

A Francofontein Province of Syracuse, there is a castle that dominates the hill located in the bend formed by the confluence of the Canale stream: it is the Chadra Castle and is in a truly impregnable position, as it overlooks the valley below. Its function, obviously, was mainly defensive and the construction can still be visited today given that the conservation conditions of its ruins are quite good. Here, then, is all the essential information to allow users to reach and visit the castle of Chadra.

History of Chadra Castle

The history of the castle of Chadra, also known by the name of Gadera castle, begins in a very turbulent period for Sicily, when the Angevins and the Aragonese contended for dominance of the territory, both before and after the war of the Vespers. In a document dated 1270 we begin for the first time to talk about Chadra farmhouse, forming part of the relative feud which in 1296 was divided between two families. A few years later, in 1307, John DeLamia he decides to have a castle built in his part of the feud, which will be completed when the family takes possession of the other part of the domain two years later. The possession of the De Lamias lasts until 1392 when, for political reasons, the feud is confiscated and given to the family of Berengar Cruyllas who, however, after a few years begins to lose interest in it, given that he also receives the village of as a gift Calatabiano. However, the castle still survives for a few years, given that other news of the structure dates back to 1552, when an earthquake creates serious damage which, however, is repaired. In 1693, however, an even more violent seismic event almost completely knocked it down, discouraging any attempt at reconstruction.

The architecture and any works of art present in the castle of Chadra in Francofonte

From the ruins that are currently visible and from historical sources of the time, information can be obtained that allows you to have a fairly precise idea of ​​what the castle of Chadra looked like. First of all it was a typically defensive construction, therefore it was characterized by the fact that it was surrounded by a deep moat of about 4 meters and by mighty walls about one and a half meters thick which protected all the accesses. At the drawbridge, located to the north-east, there was access to an internal courtyard characterized by a sighting mastra tower which was part, together with the crenellated walkways used for patrols, of the defense systems. Inside a second courtyard, on the ground floor, there were the grain silos and other service rooms, while the apartments of the feudal lords were located on the upper floor.

What you can do around or inside the Chadra castle

Una visit Chadra castle is the optimal excuse for discover Francofonte, also known as the country of oranges. There are many monuments that are enclosed in its historic center and that certainly deserve a visit. From a religious point of view, the church more important is that Mother of Sant'Antonio Abate but also the Carmelite church And that of St. Francis of Assisi they have impressive historical structures and works of art inside them. Beautiful examples of civil architecture, however, are Palagonia Palace, now the seat of the Municipality, and two fountains: the Canali and that of the Giardiniello.

How is it possible to get to Francofonte

Those who want to get to Francofonte, in the province of Syracuse, to visit the castle of Chadra can move easily with theauto. The town can be reached from Syracuse via the E45 and then the SS194, while for those coming from Palermo the route to follow is the A19 motorway and then the E932. Finally, from Messina it can be reached by taking the A18 with the exit at Francofonte. The village can also be reached by trainalthough the town does not have its own railway station. The closest are those of Lentini or Priolo Melilli from which you can then continue to Francofonte with the local buses made available by the AST company.