Castel Sismondo

Castel Sismondo is a castle in Rimini, Romagna, northern Italy.

Of the original construction, begun by the lord of Rimini Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta on March 20, 1437, only the central nucleus remain. According to the contemporary chronicles, Malatesta himself designed it, although it is known that several true architects, including Filippo Brunelleschi (who was in Rimini for two months in 1438) worked at the construction. The works lasted some 15 years.

In origin the castle-palace was provided with a large moat, with a rivelin at the main entrance, sporting the heraldic symbols of the House of Malatesta. The walls were thought to be thick enough to bear the struck from the new artillery pieces appearing in Europe in that period. Although originally positioned externally from the city, it has no towers facing that side: all towers are in fact oriented towards city. These towers are square, and once housed a bronze cannon each.

The central part of the castled was the residence of the prince, with rooms decorated with tapestries, curtains and frescoes. Also the exterior should be decorated, as it is suggested by the few maiolica tiles visible at the

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta died here in 1468.

In 1821 the castle was turned into barracks for the local Carabinieri. Five years later, the external walls were demolished and the moat filled. After a period of decadence, the edifice is now used as seat of exhibitions.