Castel Sismondo
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Malatesta period
The castle was built by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini. Construction is recorded to have begun exactly at 6.48pm on 20 March 1437, and though the castle was declared officially completed in 1446, work was still being done in 1454.[2]
Castel Sismondo was conceived as a palace and fortress. Though contemporary sources credit Malatesta with its design, it employed a coalition of architects and engineers including Filippo Brunelleschi, who visited Rimini for two months in 1438 as part of a series of inspections of Malatesta fortresses across Romagna and the Marche.[2]
Malatesta died in the castle on 7 October 1468.[2]
Later history
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 decline, the edifice is now used for cultural exhibitions.
