CataniaManiace.
The village developed around Maniace Abbey, built
in 1173 by Queen Margaret of Navarre, mother of
William the Good, on the spot where the Byzantine
general George Maniakes defeated the Muslims in
1040. In 1799 the fief and the abbey (also known
as the Castle) were given by Ferdinand III of Sicily
to Admiral Nelson for his help in repressing the
riots in Naples. Until 1981 it was part of the Commune
of Bronte.
