Castello Grifeo

The Castello del Grifeo was the fulcrum of Partanna’s defensive system and takes its name from the 12th-century fief in which it stood. The imposing building is one of the best-preserved fortresses in the west of Sicily and is now a palimpsest of different historical periods. On its main gate in the courtyard you can admire the coat of arms of the Grifeo family, made by the sculptor Francesco Laurana in the 15th century.

Since 2007, the castle has housed the Museo Civico della Preistoria del Basso Belice, which includes an ethno-anthropological section, an art gallery – featuring a polyptych by the Flemish artist Simon de Wobreck – and an archaeological section housing important prehistoric finds from the area – including bell-shaped glasses – indicative of the importance of this area in the history of Sicily since ancient times.