Maniace Ortigia is a bar on the Sicilian island of Ortigia, the historic centre of the city of Syracuse. It has been built in the square in front of Castello Maniace, a medieval fortification built by Frederick II of Swabia in the first half of the thirteenth century. With its modern architecture, the bar is part of a redevelopment project involving the extreme tip of the island of Ortigia.

The structure was designed by the Andrea Abbadessa architectural practice with ing. Ignazio Stancanelli and ing. Giuseppe Malatino and features a large sloping roof over the counter and the bar. This area is lit by Turis Mini 1.1 downlights with 3000K white light and diffuse optics, chosen in the chrome finish.

The structure was built on a deck clad with wooden planks, raising it above the level of the square. The uncovered area of this deck is lit with Rondò 1.2 double-beam recessed fixtures installed between the bar tables. Their micro-blasted AISI 316L stainless steel bodies are resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for the bar’s seaside location. Linear 2.3 bollards with an anthracite-finish, 800-mm column are installed at the corners of the deck. The deck is surrounded by a stone step punctuated by the light from Bright 2.4 recessed fixtures, also in AISI 316L stainless steel.

Lira 1.0 step lights, with asymmetrical optics, are installed at regular intervals in the stone wall to light the path that leads to the entrance to Castello Maniace. 


Location: Syracuse, Italy

Application: Paths and steps

Project: Studio di Architettura Andrea Abbadessa, eng. Ignazio Stancanelli, eng. Giuseppe Malatino

Light planning: Light Style

Photo: Simone Aprile