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Saracen Castle in Taormina

Saracen Castle - Taormina

The Saracen Castle (Castello saraceno) is situated in an elevated position above Taormina, at about 397m high.

Most probably it was the site of the antique acropolis of the Greek town of Taormina. The Romans and later the Byzantines must have strengthened the site. In 902 AD the town fell to the Muslims after a siege of 2 years. They rebuilt the castle into its present form with a trapezoid plan adapted to the shape of the rock and crenellated walls.

You can get to the castle via a staircase that starts from the church of the Madonna della Rocca climbs up to reach the door.

The remains of this fortification are constituted by the imposing tower, the walls on which is implanted a tower, a cistern and an underground corridor.

Monte Tauro Castle, otherwise known as the "Taormina Castle", property of the Sicilian Region and part of the "Naxos Taormina Archaeological Park", was reopened to public access on May 7, 2024, after 34 years of closure. Visitors can now explore this ancient historic monument and enjoy the magnificent panorama from the summit of Mount Tauro.

Saracen Castle

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