The castle carved into the rock
Sperlinga is one of the most distinctive villages of inland Sicily. Its main monument is the Castle of Sperlinga, a medieval fortification entirely carved into the rock — a unicum in the Sicilian castle panorama. The halls, the stairs and the paths are all cut directly into the rock mass.
The motto inscribed at the castle entrance — “Quod Siculis placuit sola Sperlinga negavit” — recalls that Sperlinga was the only Sicilian town not to join the Sicilian Vespers of 1282, hosting an Angevin garrison while the rest of the island was in revolt.
The partner village
Sperlinga is a DMO partner of the Nicosian territory and the second stage of the 24 Barons Trail. The collaboration between the two Municipalities aims to:
- offer the visitor an integrated territorial experience — Nicosia Cathedral + Sperlinga rock-cut castle;
- create shared tourism itineraries (see 24 Barons Trail);
- nominate the entire district as an inland Sicily destination.
The Palatine Chapel
The castle includes a small Palatine Chapel under restoration. Public opening follows the calendar announced by the Sperlinga Municipality; see News — restoration completed.
How to arrive
- From Nicosia by car: SS117 north, ~15 minutes.
- On foot: stage of the 24 Barons Trail.
- Public transport: limited; car or event shuttle recommended.
To visit
- Rock-cut castle: open to the public, ticket at the Sperlinga municipal ticket office.
- Historic centre: small, walkable in 1-2 hours.
- Combine with: Nicosia (cathedral, castle, palaces) and Cerami (third stage of the Trail).
See together
- Cerami — third stage of the 24 Barons Trail.
- Castle of Nicosia — comparison with another rock-cut castle in the territory.
- 24 Barons Trail — trek connecting Nicosia, Sperlinga and Cerami.