Castello al Mare - Castle by the Sea - is one of the attractions of Palermo, which knows few tourists, and the locals are in no hurry to talk. In truth, from the little that remains of the castle - only the ruins of the entrance gate, part of a huge round tower and traces of the moat. Castello al Mare is located approximately in the middle way between the bay of Cala and the main port of the city, at the end of the street Cavour.

Generally, Palermo, famous for its castles and fortified medieval buildings - among the most impressive may be called Kastellachio, Sr., Palazzo dei Normanni, Tsizu and Cuba. There are similar strength and in other regions of Sicily - Syracuse, Milazzo, Caccamo and Mussomeli. However, it is the Castello al Mare has a very special history. During the Arab domination of the island it was a coastal fortress to defend rabotorgovy quarter outside the city Balarm. However, in the battle of 1071, which led to the conquest of Sicily by the Normans, the castle did not participate. In 1081 next to it was built by the Orthodox Church of St. Peter, dedicated to Robert Guiscard and his wife Sishelgaite. Today in the Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo can be seen engraved on the stone inscription commemorating their patronage over the city.

The Normans have significantly expanded the Castello al Mare, attach the round tower, quite similar to the Tower of Windsor Castle in London. In the 12th century on the orders of Frederick II was dug around the castle defensive ditch, so in the years of Spanish rule in Sicily Castello al Mare was the main seaside fortress Palermo. Unfortunately, many local riots during the movement for the unification of Italy in 1860 and in subsequent years have led to the destruction of much of the castle - the citizens dismantled its walls to build their own houses nearby. What's left of the once formidable fortress was abandoned. Only partial structure has been restored in recent years, but today, here are rarely allowed visitors.