- Castello Maniace
The Castello Maniace is a
citadel andcastle in Syracuse,Sicily . It stands on a largepromontory , where it was constructed between1232 and1240 by theEmperor Frederick II . It bears the name ofGeorge Maniakes , the Byzantine general who besieged and took the city in1038 .The castle could be once reached only from a bridge spanning a moat (now filled). Notable is the decorated portal.
History
The first fort was built here in 1038 by George Maniakes after his capture of Syracuse from the Arabic rule. Frederick II, as King of Sicily, had his architect
Riccardo da Lentini rebuild it in1232 -1240 . KingPeter III of Aragon resided here with his family in1288 . From 1305 to 1536 the castle was used as residence by numerous queens of Sicily.In the 15th century it was used as a prison. In the following century it was included in the fortification defending the harbour and the city. A huge explosion damaged it in 1704, after which it was renovated and adapted to the use of guns.
Later a barracks of the
Italian Army , it is now open to public.External links
* [http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2005/february/sicily.php?page=3 Smithsonian Magazine - "Sicily Resurgent"]
Gallery
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