Forte di Capo Passero

Portopalo di capo Passero, Italy

Fort di Capo Passero is located on a small island Isola di Capo Passero. It was commissioned in 1599 by the crown of Spain. Developed by Giovanni Antonio del Nobile, a German-sicilian architect, the fort was built to combat the dangers of severe and violent pirate activity in the Mediterranean region. Throughout the years, the fort remained a highly sought after naval resource as it was the guardian of the entrance to Europe. Whoever controlled the fort was considered to control the entrance to Europe.

During the 18th century the fort was used as a military prison. However on December 30, 1866 a Royal Decree halted military prison activity in the fort. In 1871 a lighthouse was built in the terrace of the fort, which was operated by the Italian Navy until it was fully decommissioned in the late 1950s.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Italy

Address

Strada Provinciale 84, Portopalo di capo Passero, Italy

See all sites in Portopalo di capo Passero

Details

Founded: 1599
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Rosalba Leanza (2 years ago)
This Spanish fortress has its own charm. The island is totally wild and contains adventure and history. Breathtaking landscape…

Giovanni Secinaro (3 years ago)
Islet reachable by swimming or with a pedal boat. Very suggestive place, perhaps a little abandoned but really beautiful.

Katina Moore (4 years ago)
This was part of the Sig MWR camping trip we snorkled and saw colums from an ancient Roman Temple under water...had lunch on the boat..swam to to shore to see the forte (forte was free).

Giacomo Anelli (5 years ago)
Spectacular extreme point of Italy.

Fabrizio Pivari (5 years ago)
Majestic fort overlooking the island

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.