Spadafora Castle

The origins of the Castle of Spadafora, in the Metropolitan City of Messina on the northern coast of Sicily, are still shrouded in mystery, but the ancient fortified building that can be admired today in the center of the countrycertainly already existed in the XNUMXth century when, in the mostly uninhabited area, there are only traces of a watchtower and a small settlement in the San Martino feud, which at the time belonged to the Sicilian Spadafora family.

More specific information about the fortress appears at the end of the XNUMXth century, when the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Sicily commissioned the construction of an imposing defensive structure , equipped with 123 watchtowers. Among the towers included in the project, 62 were pre-existing buildings to be restored, just like the tower of the Castello di Samonà in Spadafora.

In the following century, there were many interventions by renovation suffered by the castle, which began to acquire a seventeenth-century appearance, leading many scholars and onlookers to think of a total destruction and reconstruction of the fortress in the seventeenth century. However, this hypothesis must be rejected.

In the eighteenth century, the Castle of Samonà in Spadafora became one noble residence which celebrated the dominion of the Spadafora family over the whole area; later the ownership of the castle passed into the hands of Samona family, where it remained until the XNUMXs, and then passed on to the Region of Sicily, which today manages the site in collaboration with the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of Messina, making the renovated castle a cultural hub on the coast, capable of attracting numerous tourists.

The architecture of the Castle of Spadafora and the works to be admired

From Via Umberto I in Spadafora, in the stretch of State Road 113 that crosses the town, you enter the main portal of the Castle of Spadafora.
Located in the historic center, the fort consists of a main structure protected by 4 corner spurs. At the top are the typical medieval battlements, from where the artillery looked out, as well as the sentry boxes for the protection of the soldiers.

The tower, the heart of the castle, rises from the center of the structure. Around the fortress runs the ancient moat, of which it is still possible to observe the walls protective.

The castle is accessed from Via Umberto I, the street overlooked by the main façade: the arched portal is surmounted by a large balcony, below which you can admire the coat of arms of the Spadafora family and of the other most important families of the era.

Inside the Castle of Samonà in Spadafora, you can visit the areas set up with finds e artwork of great historical value, such as the armor, by accessing the various rooms on the main floor, such as the Sala degli Stucchi, the Reading Room and the Dining Room.

What you can do in the Castle of Spadafora and in the surroundings

The Castle of Samonà in Spadafora, one of the jewels of the historic centre, can be the first stop on a tour to discover the town and the surroundings of Spadafora. Visiting the Castle can be the perfect opportunity to take a step back in time, discover a part of the Sicilian history and get a close look at mysterious and interesting artifacts and objects such as shields, spears and armor. But in addition to the castle, Spadafora also has other surprises in store for you: the beauty of the gardens, the religious architecture, the splendid coastline, make this town overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea the perfect center for a holiday halfway between fun and relaxation.

After visiting the inner halls of the castle, you can rest in the beautiful gardens surrounding the fortress, before continuing along State Road 113 in the direction of Church of the Sacred Heart in Spadafora, one of the most important places of worship in the country. From the Lungomare you can instead reach the beach, for sunbathing or swimming in transparent waters.
At any time, you can enjoy ice creams, sweets and typical products, to choose from in the many places that are located on the coast.

Among the typical products to taste in yours holiday in Spadafora, don't forget the baked pasta, the Sicilian vermicelli and the fish soup.

A stay in Spadafora will also allow you to discover some of the main beauties of the area, which you can easily reach from the town, such as the beautiful beaches and the transparent waters of Lido Paguro Beach in Rometta Marea at less than 5 km, the Cataolo waterfalls at about 18 km or the Sanctuary and Hermitage of Maria SS. of Crispino at 15,6 km from Spadafora.

How is it possible to get to the Castle of Spadafora

The Castle of Samonà in Spadafora is located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, from which it is just 24 km away. Reaching the town is easy, both for those traveling by car and for those who prefer the train.

By car, take the A18 Messina-Catania to the Messina Sud-Tremestieri exit (about 15 km from the centre) or the A20 Messina-Buonfornello to the Rometta Marea exit (about 4 km from the town).

Those arriving by train can get off at Milazzo Station and continue by bus or shuttle for the next 11 km to the centre.