Palazzo Montalto, Gothic palace in Ortygia island, Syracuse, Italy
Palazzo Montalto is a Gothic palace on Ortygia featuring pointed-arch windows with floral ornaments and a marble entrance portal with fine details. The facade displays a decorative cornice with diamond-shaped elements and carries an inscription marking its original construction date and ownership.
The palace was built in 1397 for Maciotta Mergulese and later came under the ownership of Filippo Montalto through a transfer by the Queen of Aragon. In the 1800s it served as a temporary medical facility during a disease outbreak and was subsequently used by religious groups.
The palace displays the Chiaramonte Gothic style, a Sicilian architectural tradition visible in its decorated windows and entrance, characteristics you notice while walking through the old town.
The palace is located in the old town of Ortygia and is easy to explore on foot since the island is compact and walkable for visitors. Since it is a historic building, check opening times before planning your visit.
The facade carries an inscription documenting both the construction year and original owner, something visitors can notice while examining the entrance more closely. These details preserve the memory of the family who once lived in the building.
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