Vicari Castle

Vicari Castle, locally known as Castello di Vicari, lies in the town of the same name, in the Palermo province on the island of Sicily in Italy.

The first fortification at this site was probably a tower built during the Arab period, around 900 AD. Around 1061 the area was conquered by the Normans. Vicari Castle itself was first mentioned in 1077, when the Norman Count Roger I of Sicily, stayed here after a military campaign.

In 1299 Vicari Castle passed to the noble Chiaramonte family, who were to become the most powerful and wealthy family in Sicily. The castle, then named Castrum Biccari, was owned by them until 1337. During that time the castle was rebuilt and expanded. It are mostly the ruins of that castle that can be seen today.

In 1338 Vicari Castle was obtained by the Valguarnera family. In the 15th century the castle passed through the hands of several families; the Talamanca, La Grua and Ventimiglia amongst others.

In 1556 King Philip II of Spain awarded Vicari the title of County. The first Count of Vicari was Vincenzo del Bosco Agliata. His descendants owned the castle until 1722. Then it transferred, through inheritance, to the Bonanno Princes of Roccafiorita. They held the castle until the abolition of feudalism in 1812.

How and when Vicari Castle fell to ruin I do not know.

As far as I know Vicari Castle is fenced off and can thus not be visited. A nice castle ruin in a quiet town.

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