Museo civico Castello Ursino
Civic museum in Catania's Frederician fortress, with archaeology, painting, Greek vases, bronzes and the Biscari and Benedettini collections.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Castello Ursino was built from 1239 at the behest of Frederick II of Swabia, to a design by Riccardo da Lentini. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was the setting for important events of the Sicilian Vespers: in 1295 the Sicilian parliament met there and elected King Frederick III, and in 1347 the Peace of Catania was signed there. It later became the residence of the Aragonese sovereigns, and in 1434 Alfonso V signed there the deed establishing the University of Catania.
With the spread of firearms it lost its military value and in part became a prison; the lava flow of 1669 surrounded the castle and filled the moat, while the earthquake of 1693 marked the end of its role as a fortress. It then served as a garrison and prison until 1838. A major restoration in the 1930s prepared it for its new function as a museum; the Municipality acquired it in 1932, and the civic museum was opened on 20 October 1934, with the collections of the Biscari and Benedettini museums.
The collections include archaeological finds, a picture gallery with works from the 15th to the 19th century, about two thousand small bronzes, Greek vases, coins, medieval portals and decorative art objects. The display reopened in stages: the picture gallery wing in 1995 and the first floor in 1999.
Highlights
- 13th-century Frederician fortress built of lava stone
- Archaeological collections of the Prince of Biscari
- Madonna enthroned by Antonello de Saliba (1497)
- About two thousand small bronzes and Greek vases, including the krater with Perseus and Medusa
- Michele Rapisardi room with the painting “I Vespri siciliani”
Permanent exhibitions
- Archeologia e collezioni Biscari e Benedettini – Archaeological finds, Greek vases, about two thousand small bronzes, coins and Roman sculptures on the ground floor.
- Pinacoteca – Paintings from the 15th to the 19th century, with the Madonna by Antonello de Saliba and the room dedicated to Michele Rapisardi.
- Founded
- 1934
- Operated by
- Comune di Catania
- Visitors per year
- approx. 72,352
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 11 to 18 |
| Children & teens | €3Reduced ticket of €3 for young people aged 11 to 18. |
| Supplement for temporary exhibitions | €4€2 for young people aged 11 to 18. |
The City of Catania offers a single ticket for the Sistema Museale Civico, valid for three days, with rates for individual visitors, couples and families.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
The Ministry of Culture's listing mentions a photo library.
Events & venue rental
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