Castello dell'Imperatore

{{Short description|Medieval castle in Prato, Italy}}

{{more citations needed|date=August 2014}}

{{Infobox military installation

|name = Emperor's Castel

|native_name = Castello Dell'Imperatore

|partof =

|location = Prato, Tuscany

|country = Italy

|image = Prato, Castello dell'imperatore entrance.JPG

|alt =

|caption = Main entrance of the castello

|type = Swabian castle

|coordinates = {{coord|43|52|43.84|N|11|5|54.80|E|source:itwiki_region:IT_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

|ownership = Municipality of Prato

|operator =

|controlledby =

|open_to_public = Yes

|area =

|built = Between 1237 and 1247

|used =

|builder =

|materials = local stones

|height =

|fate =

|condition =

|battles =

|events =

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}}

A castle with crenellated walls and towers. Built for the medieval emperor and King of Sicily Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor,{{cite web |url=https://travelguide.michelin.com/europe/italy/tuscany/prato/prato/castello-dell-imperatore-castle-emperor |title=The Michelin Travel store |website=travelguide.michelin.com |access-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143527/https://travelguide.michelin.com/europe/italy/tuscany/prato/prato/castello-dell-imperatore-castle-emperor |url-status=dead }} it was built in Prato, Italy on top of a previous fortification of which two towers remain.

When Frederick II died building was stopped and the interior was never finished. The castle is open to the public and although some destruction took place during the fascist regime, reconstruction work has begun and is ongoing. It is possible to climb the stairs up to the top of the castle walls and walkways for a bird's eye view over the surrounding city of Prato.{{Cite web | url=http://www.to-tuscany.com/local-tuscany/tuscany-for-children/castello-dellimperatore-prato/ | title=To Tuscany | access-date=2013-06-02 | archive-date=2013-05-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528014500/http://www.to-tuscany.com/local-tuscany/tuscany-for-children/castello-dellimperatore-prato/ | url-status=dead }}

It was built between 1237 and 1247 by Riccardo da Lentini.