Castello di Milazzo
Encyclopedia
The Castello di Milazzo (Italian: Milazzo castle) is a fortified ensemble in Milazzo
, Sicily
, southern Italy
. It is located on the summit a hill commanding the town, and is of uncertain origin, perhaps Arab. It was later enlarged in medieval and modern times, and it is now a National Monument of Italy.
.
The oldest element of the current castle, a quadrangular tower, dates most likely to the Arab period of Sicily
. It was later enlarged by the Normans and the Hohenstaufen: Frederick II of Hohenstaufen
's architect, Richard of Lentini, worked at the castle.
During the Aragonese
domination of Sicily walls were added with five rounded bastions (15th century). The larger external towers were built in the early 16th century. The castle lost its importance in the 18th century, and decayed until recent times.
then leads to an internal courtyard, after which is the Old Duomo (cathedral), built from 1607.
From the same age is the Benedictine convent. Also present are remains of the Palazzo dei Giurati (Jurors' Palace) and of the older church of Santa Maria.
Milazzo
Milazzo is a town and comune in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy.The city is situated between two bays, one of Milazzo and the east to the west of Patti, in a strategic place in the north-eastern Sicily.Located 43 km from the provincial capital, is part of the metropolitan area of the Strait...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is located on the summit a hill commanding the town, and is of uncertain origin, perhaps Arab. It was later enlarged in medieval and modern times, and it is now a National Monument of Italy.
History
The area of the castle is known to have been frequented in ancient times, as shown by recent findings inside the castle's perimeter of coins including those of the MamertinesMamertines
The Mamertines were mercenaries of Italian origin who had been hired from their home in Campania by Agathocles, the king of Syracuse. After Syracuse lost the Third Sicilian War, the city of Messana was ceded to Carthage in 307 BC. When Agathocles died in 289 BC he left many of his mercenaries idle...
.
The oldest element of the current castle, a quadrangular tower, dates most likely to the Arab period of Sicily
History of Islam in southern Italy
The history of Islam in southern Italy begins with the Islamic conquest and subsequent rule of Sicily and Malta, a process that started in the 9th century. Islamic rule over Sicily was effective from 902, and the complete rule of the island lasted from 965 until 1061...
. It was later enlarged by the Normans and the Hohenstaufen: Frederick II of Hohenstaufen
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
's architect, Richard of Lentini, worked at the castle.
During the Aragonese
House of Aragon
The House of Aragon is the name given several royal houses that ruled the County, the Kingdom or the Crown of Aragon.Some historiansGuillermo Fatás y Guillermo Redondo, Alberto Montaner Frutos, Faustino Menéndez Pidal de Navascués...
domination of Sicily walls were added with five rounded bastions (15th century). The larger external towers were built in the early 16th century. The castle lost its importance in the 18th century, and decayed until recent times.
Overview
The "castle" was more precisely a fortified town or citadel, which housed several public and private edifices, such as a cathedral and a Benedictine convent. The entrance is from the Santa Maria bastion, which, together with the so-called Bastione delle Isole, is part of the massive Spanish 16th century walls. A gallery with a barrel vaultBarrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
then leads to an internal courtyard, after which is the Old Duomo (cathedral), built from 1607.
From the same age is the Benedictine convent. Also present are remains of the Palazzo dei Giurati (Jurors' Palace) and of the older church of Santa Maria.