Ursino Castle

Catania, Italy

Castello Ursino was built between 1239 and 1250, as one of the royal castles of Emperor Frederick II, King of Sicily. In 1295, during the Sicilian Vespers, the Parliament which declared deposed James II of Aragon as King of Sicily, replacing him with Frederick III, was held here. The following year it was captured by Robert of Anjou but was later again in Aragonese hands.

After the move of the capital away from Catania and the appearance of powder weapons, the castle lost its military role and was used as a prison. It is one of the few buildings in Catania to have survived the earthquake of 1693.

The castle was acquired by the city of Catania in 1932, and it was restored. The Museo civico opened in the restored castle on 20 October 1934. Today, the museum houses artifacts and artwork from the castle as well as the greater geographical area. These items date from the Classical era onward, representing the diverse influences throughout Sicilian history. Frequently, the castle hosts also temporary exhibitions or artistic events (theatrical representations and concerts).

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Details

Founded: 1239-1250
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Robert Hlavatý (4 months ago)
It's a city castle but there are not too many castle-like things inside. But there is a permanent exhibition with some worthy paintings and sculptures. I do not regret going here at all but otherwise I do not consider it a "must" when in Catania.
Syed Nadir Shah Kazimi (5 months ago)
Ursino Castle in Catania is a gem that truly impressed me with its unique history and architecture. Originally built in the 13th century, the castle has stood the test of time, even surviving lava flows from Mount Etna, which makes it even more fascinating to explore. The atmosphere inside is wonderful – you can almost feel the echoes of the past in the thick stone walls and ancient hallways.
Shan Ming (6 months ago)
6 EUR entry was a little high considering the museum was small. It was cool to see the castle, but a lot of the artifacts have little to do with the castle itself. Bathroom smelled, was not serviced, and had no running water. What a shame
Dominik Wypij (7 months ago)
We visited Caravaggio paintings exposition and ticket lady proposed purchase also tickets to Ursino Castle for just 1 Euro more, so it was a no brainer. I think it's worth seeing and as you can see at the photos you will be able to see a lot of paintings, the whole interior of the castle and beautiful views from the top.
Sarah Nuterangelo-Van Leuven (9 months ago)
This place is so good. Of all the time I have spent in Catania, I had no idea this place existed. It has great works of art and a ton of history; PLUS it’s not super crowded. If you’re looking for an enriching art museum experience and a little bit of history while you visit Catania, I would check this place out. The price to enter is only €6, which is a steal for the amount of art that you are getting to view.
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