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Castello di Maredolce
Sicily
The Castle of Maredolce lies within the Parco della Favara. This palace, improperly called the castle, was built in 1071 in Islamic style and was part of a 'qasr,' a fortified citadel on Monte Grifone. In former times it was surrounded by an artificial lake. The park around the palace, in which Roger II used to hunt, was a garden with citrus and fruit trees, waterways and exotic animals. The water, which is essential for plants and a symbol of purification and rebirth, was the central element in the garden designed as a replica of the Koranic paradise
Over the centuries, the castle was transformed into a fortress and in 1328 it was ceded to the monks of the Teutonic mansion, who transformed it into a hospital.
In the seventeenth century it became the property of Francesco Agraz, Duke of Castelluccio, who transformed it into a farm. In 1992, the Region of Sicily has acquired the building for expropriation.
