- UNESCO
Photo: User: Stevage, CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Middle Ages, 1038
- Commissioned by
- Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 37°03′12″ N, 15°17′43″ E
- Address
- Piazza Federico Di Svevia, 96100 Siracusa
History and description
The Castello Maniace is a citadel and castle in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy. It is situated at the far point of the Ortygia island promontory, where it was constructed between 1232 and 1240 by the Emperor Frederick II. It bears the name of George Maniakes, the Byzantine general who besieged and took the city in 1038. Originally, one could only enter the castle over a bridge spanning a moat (now filled). A feature of the castle is the decorated portal. Today the castle is open to the public and is a local tourist attraction in Syracuse.
History
The first fort was built here in 1038 by George Maniakes, a Greek general and later the Catepan of Italy, after he captured Syracuse from the Arabs on behalf of the Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian. Frederick II, as King of Sicily, had his architect Riccardo da Lentini build it in 1232–1240. King Peter III of Aragon resided here with his family in 1288.
During the War of the Sicilian Vespers, the fortress became a lynchpin in the Sicilian defense of the city. In 1298 the fortress withstood an assault by an Angevin–Aragonese fleet during the Angevin invasion of Sicily.
From 1305 to 1536 the castle was used as a 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.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Castello Maniace».
Timeline
- 1038Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
SiracusaTrain, nearest
2.2 km as the crow flies
Castello ManiacePiazza Federico Di Svevia, 96100 Siracusa
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Sicily
Frequently asked questions
Where is Castello Maniace?
Castello Maniace is in Syracuse, in the province of Siracusa (Sicily), Italy. Address: Piazza Federico Di Svevia, 96100 Siracusa. GPS coordinates: 37.05335, 15.29539.
What are the opening hours of Castello Maniace?
According to OpenStreetMap the opening hours are: Monday: 8:30–12:45; Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30–19:30. Always check the official website before your visit.
Is Castello Maniace wheelchair accessible?
According to OpenStreetMap data, the site is partly wheelchair accessible.
How old is Castello Maniace?
Wikidata dates it to 1038.
What else is there to see near Castello Maniace?
Nearby you’ll find: Palazzo Bellomo Museum (500 m away), Hotel des Ètrangers (600 m away), Palazzo Borgia Impellizzeri (600 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 7 photos
- Castello Maniace1 — User: Stevage, CC BY 2.5
- 0544 - Siracusa - Castello Maniace - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto - 15-Oct-2008 — Giovanni Dall'Orto, Attribution
- 0545 - Siracusa - Castello Maniace - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto - 15-Oct-2008 — Giovanni Dall'Orto, Attribution
- 20211107.Syrakus.Castello Maniace.-011 — Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2678 - Siracusa - Castello Maniace - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto - 22-May-2008 — Giovanni Dall'Orto, Attribution
- 2679 - Siracusa - Castello Maniace - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto - 22-May-2008 — G.dallorto, Attribution
- "Die größte und schönste aller griechischen Städte" beschrieb Cicero das antike Syrakus. 14 — Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences