Mategriffon

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.

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.

In the aftermath of the Sicilian Vespers, the royal vicar Herbert of Orleans together with his family and the supporters of King Charles I of Naples took refuge in the castle which was besieged and damaged by the angry Messinese mob led by Alaimo da Lentini.

[3] In February 1285, Baroness Macalda di Scaletta, wife of Alaimo da Lentini, and her children were imprisoned in Matagrifone Castle by the orders of King Peter.

[5] In the late 15th century the castle was enlarged by King Ferdinand II of Aragon whose inscription was written in Latin in 1496 on the eastern side of the extant tower.

In October 1535 following his conquest of Tunisia, Emperor Charles V made a triumphal visit to Messina where he stopped at Matagrifone Castle as part of his inspection of the city's fortresses.