Description of the attraction
Built from the late 13th century until 1320, Steri Castle was the main residence of the infamous Sicilian Chiaramonte family. In 1392, King Martin laid siege to the castle and beheaded Andrea Chiaramonte, Steri's last owner, right in front of its walls. From that moment until 1517, the castle served as the main royal palace of the Sicilian kingdom, replacing the Palazzo dei Normanni in this position. It was here in 1530 that Charles V, King of Sicily and ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, transferred the Maltese Islands into the possession of the Knights Hospitaller Order, which later became known as the Order of Malta. Steri Castle played a very sinister role from 1601 to 1782 - the main tribunal of the Holy Inquisition of Sicily sat there. Then the court was located here, and the rooms of the castle were used as prison cells. Today, part of Steri Castle is occupied by the administrative offices of the University of Palermo, and various small events are often held in its medieval halls.
The castle was built in the so-called "Gothic Chiaramonte" style - the castles in the Sicilian towns of Mussomeli and Naro and in Malta (the old part of Fort Sant'Angelo in Valletta) were built in the same style. And its decorations and arched windows evoke associations with other medieval castles in Italy, France and Spain. The majestic fortress is spread over the territory of the former fiefs of the Chiaramonte family - despite the fact that they were not the inventors of this unique architectural style, they did a lot to spread it throughout the island. Steri's beautiful stonework has survived to this day only thanks to numerous restorations carried out in the 20th century.
When the castle was built, it stood practically on the water - the coast began a hundred meters from the walls of Steri. In the 16th century, a dam was erected around the castle, intended to protect the structure from pirate raids. The grassy park, now bordering the seashore on the opposite Marina Strone from Via Crispi and Via Messina, was established after the end of the Second World War. The Steri complex also includes the chapel of St. Anthony, built near the castle.
Inside, it is worth paying special attention to the Great Hall - the so-called Hall of the Nobles, with painted wooden vaults with images of biblical, mythological and historical scenes. It is likely that the decoration of Steri's rooms was influenced by the Arabic ornaments of the famous Palatine Chapel, created two centuries earlier.
