Castello Ursino
Catania
Castello Ursino is an imposing medieval fortress in the heart of Catania, a testimony to Swabian power in Sicily. Commissioned by Frederick II, it withstood earthquakes and the lava flow of 1669. Today it houses the Civic Museum: a stop rich in history along the treasure map.
History
The castle was built from 1239 at the behest of the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, as part of a system of coastal fortifications. It originally stood near the sea, which lapped its south and east sides. Over the centuries it was a royal residence, the seat of the Sicilian Parliament and later a prison.
What to see
The fortress has a square plan with four round corner towers, typical of Swabian military architecture. Inside are the courtyard, the halls and rooms that now house the Civic Museum, with archaeological collections, paintings and finds that tell the story of Catania. The prisoners' graffiti can still be seen on the walls.
Curiosities
After Etna's great eruption of 1669, the lava flow surrounded the castle without destroying it, but it moved the coastline: what had been a fortress on the sea found itself surrounded by dry land. The 1693 earthquake damaged it but did not bring it down.
How to visit
The castle is in Catania's historic centre, in piazza Federico II di Svevia, within walking distance. It houses the Civic Museum, open with a ticket. The visit lets you explore the inner halls and the museum collections. Don't miss a walk around the walls, where you can still see the lava of 1669.
