Forte Michelangelo

The massive Forte Michelangelo was first commissioned from Donato Bramante by Pope Julius II, to defend the port of Rome in 1508. The upper part of the 'maschio' tower, however, was designed by Michelangelo, whose name is generally applied to the fortress. Pius IV added a convict prison, and the arsenal, designed by Bernini, was built by Alexander VII.

The fort and the harbor saw important military events of historical importance, such as the siege in 1527 the Spanish fleet, the assault of 1544 the pirate Barbarossa and the French occupation in 1799. During the Second World War, the fort was heavily bombed and the large octagonal tower was severely damaged.

The facades of the four sides, rinserrate by four circular towers and a corner route by the presence of the huge octagonal tower, are also imposing architectural appearance, fully lined with slabs of travertine, as well as guaranteeing a certain solidity, gives a homogeneous Renaissance elegance. The table is divided into a base shoe, joined at the top by a double seam. The upper part has in its entire perimeter large and powerful merloni with central and side vents, able to cover the shot of the artillery at 360 °, thus ensuring a complete defense. The current entrance is at the side of the octagonal tower in the north-east.

The great tower with its height towers over the rest of the structure, above which stands the huge papal coat of arms of Pope Paul III Farnese, travertine. Inside sits a huge rectangular courtyard with arcades on pillars with pilasters, where recent excavations have brought to light important archaeological sites. Both the four corner towers the keep and the walls have interesting paths adapted for connection of the shooting stations – loopholes – within dozens of bunkers. Specifically, some of the letters engraved on the travertine blocks of strong indicating the group of stonemasons who had to work.

Address
Calata Cesare Laurenti 1, Civitavecchia, Italy

Established
1508