Castello della Colombaia

Tradition attributes the earliest fortification on the site to the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, who is said to have built a tower known as the Peliade in 260 BC. The fortress was substantially rebuilt in 1320 by King Frederick III of Sicily, when its distinctive octagonal tower was constructed as part of a wider programme to strengthen Trapani's seaward defences. Over the following centuries, as the city's defences expanded, the Colombaia became the principal fortress controlling maritime access to Trapani, complementing other fortifications including the Mura di Tramontana, the Bastione dell'Impossibile and the Castello di Terra.

The castle was enlarged and adapted during the Aragonese and Spanish periods to accommodate larger garrisons and artillery, reflecting changing methods of warfare. Built primarily of local limestone, the fortress consists of an irregular enclosure surrounding a central courtyard, dominated by its octagonal tower. The perimeter walls follow the shape of the island, while vaulted chambers, narrow stairways and a reinforced seaward bastion preserve the character of one of Sicily's most distinctive medieval military fortifications.

From 1821 until 1965 the fortress served as a state prison before being abandoned. Although decades of exposure to the marine environment led to structural deterioration, the castle has remained an important landmark in Trapani's historic harbour. Restoration works began in 2024 as part of the PNRR Cultura programme, with the aim of conserving the monument and preparing it for future cultural use.