Get To Know The Castle Of Maniace On The Island Of Ortigia
Maniace Castle stands majestically at the tip of the Ortigia peninsula, on the Italian island of Sicily. It is an imposing defensive building that is key in the history of Syracuse that we are going to visit. Can you come with us?
The origin of the castle of Maniace
Its origin lies in an old fortress built in the 11th century on which Emperor Frederick II of Svevia built the building that we can see today. It bears the name of Giorgio Maniace, a very important character in the history of Syracuse, as he was the one who in 1038 reconquered the city, until then in Arab hands.
It is thus a fortress located at a strategic point for the protection of the island of Ortiga, which is why it was coveted by many. In 1282 it suffered an assault and was conquered by the Italian Angioini dynasty, until in 1302 King Federico III of Aragon, King of Sicily, made peace with the Angioini.
Building
It is an imposing stone mass whose structure is perfectly square. In the corners stand the characteristic circular towers with an upper terrace. In one of them a lighthouse was installed to help sailors who were approaching the Syracusan coast. And the perfection and purity of its walls built with perfectly carved stone ashlar impresses.
Its architect, Riccardo da Lentini, built it between 1232 and 1239, shortly after its promoter returned from the crusades in the Holy Land. And for this, the platform on which it is located was reinforced, also with defensive cylindrical towers and quarry stone.
Some gothic windows with an elongated silhouette allow light to enter the interior of the fortress. And narrow loopholes allowed defense if the enemy reached their gates. To get there, you have to go through a stone bridge built during one of its extensions. This separates you from the bustle of the streets of the historic center of Syracuse.
Under the bridge a defensive moat was located that enhanced the security of the castle of Maniace. At the end of the bridge, you have to go through a defensive gate that opens onto a large esplanade where the magnificent castle is located.
Access to the fortress
The access door is one of the most characteristic elements of this sturdy building. It is a Gothic style door with marbles of different colors on which is the double-headed eagle, emblem of Emperor Charles V.
Originally it was flanked by two Greek battering rams from the 4th century BC made of bronze. However, today they have changed location and we can see one of them in the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
Its interior denotes its defensive purpose with several rooms for the army that stayed in the castle of Maniace in order to defend the city of Syracuse and its position in the Mediterranean Sea. With hardly any interior decoration, the entrance doors of each of these rooms are arched and not very large. And they open up to small patios that serve as distributors.
The visit to the castle of Maniace and its surroundings
At present, it is part of the Defense heritage and you can only visit part of it, but walking through its walls is worth it. It can be done from Monday to Saturday at different times. And enjoying a sunrise or sunset with him is a wonderful experience.
It has recently been restored and your visit will allow you to see the grandeur of its entire defensive system of wall, towers, bridge and moat, rising up next to the sea.
In the surroundings you can see some of the most significant elements of Syracuse. Among them, it is worth highlighting the Piazza del Duomo and its impressive cathedral, built on the temple of Athena from the 5th century BC.In addition, you have to walk along the Via della Maestranza, the main street of this city where the main palaces of the beautiful city of Syracuse.
