Venus Castle

Built in the 12th century by the Normans on the site of the temple of the goddess Venus, it stands on the same cylindrical cliff famous since ancient times. The temple walls were built, according to Greek mythology, by Daedalus himself. At the beginning of the Christian era, the temple was already in a state of disrepair despite the interventions of Roman emperors in its favour.

The Normans used it as the seat of the Royal Administration. Later, until the early 20th century, it was turned into a prison. A drawbridge connected it to the surrounding plain, also defended by towers and fortifications, known as the 'Balio Castle'.

The temple occupied only part of the rocky esplanade. Drums of Ionic columns, frieze fragments and various decorative elements of Doric order are visible in the inner square of the castle.

The so-called 'Well of Venus', considered by the ancients to be a pool of the goddess, was most probably a capacious granary.