The Maniace Castle is one of the most important fortresses of the Swabian era and is among the most famous works commissioned by Frederick II. Architect Riccardo da Lentini was responsible for its construction between 1232 and 1240. It was named after the Byzantine commander Giorgio Maniace, who promoted its restoration and the construction of defensive works to protect Ortigia and the city of Syracuse. The entrance to the manor is in Piazza Federico di Svevia; once through the courtyard you will find a masonry bridge leading to a 16th-century gate with side columns.
On the inside, it probably consisted of one large hall with 16 free-standing columns, 16 half-columns and 4 circular half-columns, while 4 majestic fireplaces covered the wall corners. The three sets of stairs we can see today are preceded by service compartments, embellished with sculptures such as lions, a head probably depicting the Emperor as a young man, and a telamon.
After demilitarising the entire structure in the late 1990s, it was finally opened to the public. This is where the performances of the Ortigia Festival are organised.
The Antiquarium has been open since May 2015. It contains two exhibition halls dedicated to the history of the castle and the Piazzaforte of Syracuse, the architectural finds, and the series of majolica and ceramics discovered during excavations.