Motta Sant'Anastasia, Italy

Motta Sant'Anastasia, Italy

Motta Sant'Anastasia Italy

Motta Sant'Anastasia is a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region of Sicily, located about 160 kilometers (99 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 9 kilometers (6 mi) west of Catania. The Tower of Motta (a medieval “donjon” or keep) was built between 1070 and 1074 by order of Count Roger of Hauteville. The massive rectangular tower, with a base of about 21.5 by 9 by 17 meters (71 by 30 by 56 ft), is about 21 meters (69 ft) high and is a typical defensive structure of the early Middle Ages. The roof terrace still preserves almost intact battlements (22 merlons with rounded heads). The structure consists of three levels. Only the first level still has the original ogival arched windows (on the outside) and full-centered arches (inside). The other two square windows on the upper levels, as well as the current front door, date back to the 15th century. The ground floor was designed for military housing and contains a number of openings used for defense. On the Strada Provinciale 13, near the Strada Statale 121 (SS 121) and the neighboring municipality of Misterbianco, is the German War Cemetery for German soldiers who fell in World War II.
Recommended airport
Catania Fontanarossa (CTA)
Nearby destinations