Traces of the oldest building in the centre of Menfi, Burgimilluso Castle
Several remains and the famous reconstructed tower remain as a reminder of the ancient fortress built by Frederick II
In 1238, the King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia ordered the building of the castle of Burgimilluso on the ruins of an Arab fort. It was built not just for defence but also to serve as a real royal residence, in the heart of the new town of Menfi.
Almost nothing remains of the castle today. In 1968, the Belice earthquake razed to the ground the last vestiges of the building, the so-called Frederick’s Tower, which was rebuilt a few years later. Architect Vittorio Gregotti, who was in charge of the project and reconstructed the tower using photographs and documents, respected the original size and shape and decided to make it accessible to visitors.
Today the massive, square tower is about 18 metres high and can be visited. It is accessed through a large portal incorporating the only fragment of Frederick's castle that has survived to the present day, and a spiral staircase in tufa stone, a typical building material in the Agrigento area.
Quick overview
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Opening days
Open daily
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Opening times
From 9:00 am till 1:00 pm
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How to reach
By car:
From Palermo, take the Palermo Mazara motorway and exit at Castelvetrano, then the SS115 main road in the direction of Agrigento and exit at Menfi
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Weekend
Visiting Rules
Basic rules:
All visitors are invited to observe the basic rules of respect for the preservation of monuments
Covid 19 rules:
Visitors are requested to wear a mask in enclosed or heavily crowded areas and to maintain the safety distance indicated by the regulations in force
