Castello Ursino, Gothic castle in Catania, Italy
The square fortress features circular towers at each corner and surrounds an open courtyard with thick stone walls dating from the 13th century.
Frederick II commissioned military architect Riccardo da Lentini to construct this defensive stronghold between 1239 and 1250 as part of Sicily's coastal fortification system.
The castle houses the Municipal Museum of Catania, displaying medieval weapons, Roman artifacts, and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Visitors can explore three floors of exhibition spaces, including the ground floor's weapons collection and the upper levels' art galleries throughout the year.
Originally built on a coastal cliff, volcanic activity and earthquakes have gradually moved the castle's position one kilometer inland from the Mediterranean Sea.
Location: Catania
Inception: 1239
Architects: Riccardo da Lentini
Architectural style: Gothic art
Address: Piazza Federico di Svevia 95121
GPS coordinates: 37.49897,15.08439
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:46
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