The Castle of Mussomeli: History and Legend

The Castle of Mussomeli is located in Contrada Castello about 2 km from Mussomeli, stands on a rock spur 80 meters high and surrounded by countryside and olive groves. It was built by Manfredi III Chiaramonte in the second half of the 1909th century, after having obtained the Lordship of Castronovo and Mussomeli. The Castle is on the south-west side, while it is accessible from the north-east side through a winding path on a steep escarpment. A first restoration takes place in XNUMX, a second restoration takes place at the end of the twentieth century. by the Superintendencies of Palermo, Agrigento and Caltanissetta. It is currently available to visitors. 

A legend tells the story of three princesses who were walled up alive in one of the rooms of the castle by their brother, Prince Federico, before leaving for the war. The war seems to have lasted so long that in the end, despite the abundant supply of food, the prince found his sisters dead and with their shoes in their mouths. It seems that since then, in the nights of full moon it is possible to hear the lamentations of the three girls who cry for the sad fate they have suffered and the screams of the brother who cries out to the moon all his anger for the remorse of having caused his death.