The Ventimiglia castle, also called Bonifato castle, stands on top of Monte Bonifato above Alcamo, at the edge of the Bosco di Alcamo nature reserve. Enrico Ventimiglia, count of Alcamo, who succeeded his father Guarnieri, declared he had built it for defence against possible attacks, at the end of the fourteenth century; according to several interpretations, however, the castle is older. It is said to have been destroyed in 1243 on the orders of Frederick II and rebuilt at their own expense by the Ventimiglia before 1391; in 1340 Frederick III had granted it to Raimondo Peralta, count of Caltabellotta.
What to see
The castle had four towers and a right-trapezoid plan. Only the keep remains, the torre maestra, improperly called the Saracen tower: it stands to the north-west, has a rectangular plan and walls 2.2 metres thick, and thanks to its position it controlled the road climbing to the gate on the south-west side. It was entered at first-floor level by a movable wooden ladder.
Inside, the tower had four levels: on the ground floor the rainwater cistern and the prisons; on the first two vaulted rooms, one with a fireplace; on the second two more rooms with wooden ceilings; on the top a room where signal fires were lit. In 1779 the ruins were included by the prince of Torremuzza, Gabriele Lancillotto Castello, in the plan for the conservation of Sicily's cultural heritage.
Visiting
In modern times the ruins have been disfigured by a radio and television mast planted in the middle of the walls, which has greatly changed the look of the place. Access and conditions should be checked before going up.
Our editors' tip
The castle lies at the edge of the Bosco di Alcamo reserve: the climb can be combined with one of the reserve's three trails, among pine woods and the remains of the ancient town of Bùnifat.
