The castle that covers the entire point of the island of Ortigia is situated on the spot where a temple of Hera once stood and later served as the location for the palaces of the Greek “tyrants” of Syracuse and of the Roman administrators stood). The present castle, though, takes its name from its first builder, the Byzantine general George Maniakes, who liberated Syracuse from Arab rule for a few years (1040-1043), and fortified the port at this point. 
The appearance that it has today, however, is that given it in the third decade of the 13th century, when the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II made it not only a fortification but also one of his residences (it is believed that the castle also had a second floor, used exclusively as the imperial palace).

From this time dates the magnificent room under Gothic pilasters, which are of rare grandeur and elegance.  It is the only part of the original construction that at one time covered the entire space of the quadrangle (with the exception of the small courtyard), because in 1704 the explosion of a gunpowder magazine caused the collapse of a wing of the Swabian / Spanish construction that was never reconstructed.  A few columns of the part that collapsed are seen today, incorporated into the walls of the courtyard.

Finally, under Charles V, the castle was surrounded for a good five meters and fortified with bastions designed to resist cannon fire. These edifications still surround the castle today. After the unification of Italy, the building was annexed for many years to the adjacent former barracks (that today houses the University of Syracuse), and its return to public use required restoration work and liberation from modern buildings added in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Unfortunately, in 2014 visits to the Castello Maniace became limited to its exterior only, as the interior, which is the most spectacular portion of the structure, was “closed for renovation.” On some occasions, however, such as concerts, the halls are open to the public, so it is worth it to see if your stay coincides with one of these events.

After the unification of Italy, the building was annexed for many years to the adjacent former barracks (that today houses the University of Syracuse), and its return to public use required restoration work and liberation from modern buildings added in the 19th and 20th centuries.
For information: Tel. (++39) 0931 22255.