The Medieval essence of Naro is characterized by the presence of architectual masterpieces belonging to the the sicilian gothic epoc.
Our medieval journey through Naro consists of five stops:
The first stop
Our first stop is the Chiaramonte Castle, which was declared a National Monument in 1912.
The Castle stands on the top of the hill of Naro situated at least 600 metres above the level of the sea; in the past this hill was called “Mount Agragante". Most probably the castle was built during the XII century taking the place of a pre-existint arab fortress which was erected during the period of the arab rule in Sicily. Frederic III of Aragona in 1330 desired changing the original structure of the castle, so he decided to add a Mastio (a square tower) where he lived during his stay in Naro. The western side of the tower has a coat of arms which has the emblem of the Aragona dinasty on it; the eastern side is characterized by two gothic mullioned windows which illuminate the large Prince’s hall on the first floor.
In 1336, Naro went under the dominion of Matteo Chiaramonte, who introduced other changes to the castle.
The entrance portal, characterized by an acute angled arch, situated on the western
Side, dates back to the end of the XV century. On the sides of the portal there are two rectangular bastions (two projecting parts of a fortified place). The castle-walls are tall and interrupted by two cylindrical towers and by two rectangular ones. Inside the castle walls there is a big central courtyard with a well in it’s middle. From the courtyard there are the entrances of the old lodgings of the garrison, of the stables, of the chapel and in cases of great danger the courtyard was a safe place where the peasants could find refuge.
The castle occupies an area of 1460 square meters and has a perimetre of 166m.