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  • The Citadel of Messina
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    A museum of art and culture between sun and sea Itineraries of faith and folklore Sicilian foods and crafts The sea and the island Natural setting for sport and relaxation

    The Citadel of Messina

    The Citadel, now reduced to a few derelict and tumbledown bastions, was built by the Spaniards in order to repress and keep under constant control any popular uprisings by the population of Messina. A highly strategic point was chosen for the building of the fortress, which was designed by the Dutch architect Carlos de Grunenbergh - the first part of the San Ranieri peninsula. It took six years to build the Citadel, from 1680 to 1686. The pentagonal building, entirely surrounded by water, was further strengthened on the northern and southern sides by projecting, wedge-shaped bastions that made it impregnable. During the 18th and 19th centuries the Citadel continued to be at the centre of military events affecting Messina, until March 1861, when the Bourbon garrison was obliged to put up strenuous resistance. Spared by wars and sieges, this monument of the Bourbon domination, now in a state of sad decline, could do little to save itself from neglect, demolition, and pillage. Among the surviving constructions, there are a pair of houses, a series of galleries in the Santo Stefano fort, the Santo Stefano Counterguard, the Opera Carolina, and the Opera San Francesco.
    Milazzo castle Spanish Fort Fort of Vittoria Milazzo castle Maniace castle Norman castle of Aci Castello Ursino castle Montalbano Elicona castle Norman castle of Aci Castello Maniace castle Scaletta Zanclea castle Montalbano Elicona castle Fort of Vittoria Spanish Fort Racalmuto castle Caccamo castle Gagliano Castelferrato castle Sperlinga castle Paternò castle Mussomeli castle Falconara castle (Gela) Donnafugata castle Adrano castle Carini castle Sea castle and Palazzo Steri Erice Norman castle Erice Norman castle Castelbuono castle Caccamo castle Castelbuono castle Lombardia castle Sea castle and Palazzo Steri Favara castle Naro castle Adrano castle Lombardia castle Donnafugata castle Falconara castle (Gela) Castello Ursino Castello Normanno di Aci Castello Cittadella di Messina Castello di Scaletta Zanclea Forte Vittoria Castello Maniace Forte Spagnolo