Siracusa: Castello Maniace

Mid-way on our perimeter walk of Ortigia Island, we came to Castello Maniace … situated at the tip of the island’s promontory.

At first, we weren’t going to go inside as we had read that it would be closing at noon. Nonetheless, we decided to do a quick look-see from the arched gate. So, we walked across the bridge that spans the moat that was once filled with water.

Finding a small collection of archaeological artifacts on display just inside an entrance, I went in to check them out. While I was doing that, Mui went inside to query the closing time … just in case. He was told that once inside we could stay until 1:30p.

So, we paid the €6pp admission and went inside … figuring we’d have time to backtrack to the archeological artifacts later. Turns out that when they close the gate at noon to new visitors, you can’t go back to the display area … even though it is accessible through the ticket office. Oh well … glad I took a couple of snapshots on the way in.

Castello Maniace is named for a Byzantine general who took the city from the Arabs in 1038. It stands on the site where the first fort was built at that time. The current fort dates back to 1232-1240 and was constructed on the orders of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.

Over the following centuries the structure was adapted to serve a variety of purposes … as residence for several queens of Sicily (12th-14th centuries) and as a prison (15th century). During the 16th century, it became part of the defensive stronghold of the city.

On this beautiful blue-sky day, I especially enjoyed all the angles and arches that caught my eye.Read more