A Castle on a Hill, with a Famous Resident.....

While staying at the Baglio San Nicola, we took a short 20-minute drive to Naro to visit the one famous site there... the 12th century Chiaramonte castle.  The castle is at the very top of the village, and to get there you wind your way up narrow streets barely wide enough for one car.  Driving to the castle is not for the timid, but arrive there we did.  There was a great heart-shaped "Welcome to Naro" sign made out of stone visible from the parking area.  We didn't know what to expect, since there was not a lot of information available about the castle, but the big front door was open, so we walked in.....

 
Welcome to Naro...

The castle was built in the 12th century...



A very nice man met us and asked if we would like a tour, and of course we said yes.  He asked if we knew about Naro's famous resident, and of course we didn't.  Well.... we were told that Naro is the home of Piero Barone, one of the three young men who make up the singing group il Volo.  The castle houses two rooms full of Piero Barone's memorabilia and fan correspondence....




Is someone singing... O Sole Mio?

Who knew?  After seeing the tribute to Naro's favorite son, our guide took us to see other rooms in the castle, including a collection of vintage women's clothing, and a small remaining piece of original fresco on the ceiling....








Portion of ancient fresco on the ceiling...

He then asked if we wanted to go to the top of the castle, warning us that there were tight openings and steep stairs.  Of course we said yes!  He told us that from the top you could see half of Sicily on a clear day.... the views were amazing, and we were right up there with the Virgin Mary....

We ducked through this little door...





The Virgin....


That wind-blown look...



That ended our tour of the castle.  We asked if we could pay something for the tour, and our guide said there was no charge, just to let the world know about Naro.  We will do our part.....

Driving back to the Baglio, we detoured to get a photo of another nearby village... Campobello di Licata... home to family and friends....



Touch any photo to enlarge....




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