Priamar Fortress, Savona, Italy

The Priamar Fortress is a fortress occupying the hill with the same name above the port of Savona. The fortress was built in 1542 by the Republic of Genoa on a promontory where in medieval times was the nucleus of Savona, by design of architect Giovanni Maria Olgiati. However, traces of pre-Roman, Roman and Byzantine presences in the site have been excavated in the past centuries, and are now on display in Savona's Archaeological Museum.

In the 17th century the fortress received bastions designed by the Spanish Royal engineer Domenico Sirena, and in the 18th century were added the commissar's, officers' and Sibilla palaces. In order to create space for the new structures, edifices of the medieval Savona, including its cathedral (built in the 9th century over a pagan temple), were demolished.

In 1746, in the course of the War of Austrian Succession, it was stormed by the Piedmontese grenadiers. In 1820, after the annexion of Liguria to Piedmont, it became a prison. During the Risorgimento, Italian patriot Giuseppe Mazzini was jailed in the Priamar Fortress.

The fortress, which could house up to 500 prisoners, remained Italy's main military prison until 1903, when its role was taken by the castle of Gaeta.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Italy

User Reviews

Jerri Grunewald (10 months ago)
This castle is extraordinary! You can visit for free and parking is relatively cheap. Great views from the top and concerts are happening frequently..

Andrew Hovenden (12 months ago)
Very cool open fortress and former prison. Worth a stop. No tickets or lines.

Vitaliy Chumakov (2 years ago)
This place is too touristy and "trampled" to be a good place for tourists to visit. But, if you love old castles and everything connected with them, you can certainly visit it. From the top there is a good view of the city and port.

Tetiana Nechas (2 years ago)
When we arrived in Savona, we did not expect to see such a wonderful fortress, an incredibly beautiful place for a walk. Entrance is free. Despite the fact that the fortress has a toilet in its corners, it sometimes stinks of urine, which is disappointing but does not spoil the impression.

Roberto Green (4 years ago)
We had a lovely meal here, the waiting staff were excellent and the place had a lovely atmosphere.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Ninara

Historic Site of the week

The Church of the Holy Cross

The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).

The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.

The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.

Priamar Fortress

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

The Church of the Holy Cross