Travel Guide Augusta

This city covers a small island north of Syracuse, off Cape Santa Croce. It was founded by Greek settlers from Megara. Its island status made it a strategic site of the first order. The Normans sanctioned its de facto military status by transforming it into a fortified port in the 13th century. This military past continued for a long time, since it was also at the heart of the Allied landings of 1943. Today, this eventful past has left several military buildings, largely modified through the destruction caused by the various conflicts, but also by the infamous earthquake of 1693. Nevertheless, we will see with interest the remains of the fortifications, the impressive castle, built by Frederick II as shown in the structure, or the 17th century cathedral, which must have shaken the faith of its builders, since it was largely destroyed by the earthquake less than 50 years after it was completed.Near Augusta, the small and peaceful port of Brucoli has a small castle built in 1468 by King John II of Aragon and later entrusted to Queen Joan of Aragon. It is a beautiful and well-preserved fortified work, which served to protect Sicily from the Turkish invasion.