SPERLINGA: La Fortezza Millenaria che Sfida il Tempo. Castelli di Sicilia.

"Quod siculi placuit, sola Sperlinga negavit." What the Sicilians liked, only Sperlinga refused. This inscription on the entrance portal of Sperlinga Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Sicily, recalls the story of the French garrison that resisted the Spanish, who by then had conquered the rest of Sicily, for over a year. It was 1282, but Sperlinga's history begins much earlier. The Sperlinga caves were inhabited 4,000 years ago, and the rock castle already existed at the time of the Sicels. In the Middle Ages, Sperlinga was chosen by Lombard tribes sent by the Normans to supplant Arab culture. A reminder of that migration, the Gallo-Italic dialect typical of this area remains. This is enough to understand that Sperlinga is a unique place, a piece of Sicily waiting to be discovered. Starting with the castle itself, a rare example of a rock fortification carved into the rock in a dominant position. A military fortification, but also the home of successive feudal lords over time. A spectacular place built to resist. Even today, it inspires fear with its austere and unshakable appearance. But Sperlinga isn't just about the Castle. Go visit what remains of the cave village inhabited until recently. They call it the "little Matera," somewhat approximate, but not without reason. Here, the caves are dug out in rows and connected by narrow streets and stairways leading to the entrances to the houses, each with a street number, some still inhabited, some in ruins, a place of great charm, especially for those of us who live in the age of skyscrapers. People come to Sperlinga on purpose; it's not just a passing through. Perhaps that's why it's never crowded and remains an authentic place. In another context, it would probably be overrun by throngs of tourists. There have been no shortage of illustrious visitors, however, and the most famous are mentioned in a room in the castle. After all, history has passed through here too. A stroll through Sperlinga's alleys completes the visit and helps eliminate the lactic acid accumulated on the castle's ups and downs. Walk along Via della Valle, which bisects the town, and stop to admire the panoramic views that suddenly open up between the old houses, small squares, and ancient churches such as San Giovanni Battista and Madonna della Mercede. Everywhere you look, the looming bulk of the Castle will follow you, like a sinister shadow watching over you. It has been there for millennia, reminding everyone who's really in charge. The track "All Will See" is by Hyson and it's available on "Free Music Archive".