Mategriffon

The Sicilian castle of Matagrifone (Rocca Guelfonia)

Mategriffon or Matagrifone or Mathegriffon[1] or Rocca Guelfonia[2] was a medieval castle in Messina, Sicily, located in what is today Viale Principe Umberto. Its strategic position upon a rocky hill close to the historic city centre gave a commanding view of the harbour and Strait of Messina. In the 19th century it was converted into a prison. Prior to its destruction in the 1908 earthquake it comprised a square dungeon with ramparts and reinforced by polygonal towers. Only an octagonal tower remains standing and is incorporated into the 20th century Shrine of Christ the King church, a visible Messina landmark which dominates its skyline.

The name Matagrifone signifies "Greek killers" or "kill-Greeks" due to the population of Messina having been predominantly of Greek ancestry.[3]

  1. ^ Unknown crusader castles, Kristian Molin p.236, Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001
  2. ^ "Il Castello di Matagrifone - Rocca Guelfonia". Città di Messina (in Italian). Comune di Messina. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  3. ^ The Castle - Federico itinerari dello stupore. www.federicoitineraridellostupore.it. Retrieved on 21-6-22