(written for Sciacca.Blogolandia)
The last time we talked about Cammordino. Today we move a few steps to reach the fortress Elmo, better known as Queen Rocca.
The latter name comes from an interesting episode connected with this place and it's also about the history of Sciacca.
Queen which we refer is Juliet Norman .
It is said that the young Juliet fell in love with his cousin Robert de Basseville. Love thwarted by his father, Count Roger of Hauteville, because of blood ties. So the Countess decided to escape and sought refuge with Robert Sciacca, just in cave on the top of the fortress, which was accessed by steps carved into the rock and still be glimpsed. In this cave Juliet also gave birth to a child.
The two were later pardoned by the intercession of a hermit of Mount Cronio, Fra Mauro, and obtained a dispensation from the Pope, were married by the same monk.
The Great Count Roger gave his daughter as a gift wedding, the town of Sciacca, and became queen (hence the name).
The fortress today is still present in its beauty, topped with the cave partially collapsed, and smaller than before because it was used as a quarry for port workers.
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