User Reviews
Pietra di Vobbia Castle is a rare example of contamination between the work of men and nature, the Castle of Pietra overlooks the Scrivia Valley. An unconquerable fortress, it is built between two rock towers. Recently restored, you can visit it today in all its ancient charm.
Embedded between two rock towers and perfectly integrated with nature, the castle of Pietra di Vobbia has retained the typical atmosphere of the impregnable medieval fortresses, a symbol of the feudal power of its rulers.The castle was built around the year 1000 to preside over the road connecting Vobbia to Canton Island, Via del Sale (Salt Road) to Postumia road.
Its name originates from Opizzone della Pietra, a family in charge of the feud. You can see only a part of it from the valley, and this already tells a lot about how difficult it was to seize it. Like in 1200, when the Republic of Genoa itself had to step in to rescue two men held captive by the Opizzone family. From here, in fact you can control the roads of four provinces (Genoa, Alessandria, Pavia and Piacenza) and, thanks to a clever reference system, a message could quickly be sent from the port of Genoa to Tortona.Its peculiar location made its restoration a complicated affair too; started in 1970, restoration work has now been completed and everyone can visit it.
References:Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church. Newly built in 1996–1997, it replaces the original 13th-century church that was destroyed in a fire. The new church is of 'prescribed cross' type, having doors on three sides. The internal part of the church is decorated with the frescos showing scenes both from the Bible and history of Georgia.
The fortress was established in the 4th century and it was a Persian citadel. It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089–1125). Most of extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished.