Lerici Castle, Lerici, Italy - SpottingHistory.com

One of the main sights of Lerici is its castle which since its first founding in 1152 was used to help control the entrance of the Gulf of La Spezia. The magnificent castle rises on a rocky promontory overlooking the Bay of Lerici and is considered one of the most impressive and beautiful fortification inall of Liguria.

Due to its location in the Gulf of La Spezia, it has a rich history of disputes between the naval powers in the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages, evidence of which can be found in the inscriptions still legible at the Castle's entrance.

The first phase is referred to as the Pisan domination. It was the Pisans that began construction in 1152 of the oldest structure of the castle - its pentagonal tower. The Castle’s initial structure was built in 1241 while Lerici was occupied by the Pisans and later extended and reinforced as its role developed during the rule of the Genoese.

The third phase began in 1555 and consisted of the completion of all the fortifications resulting in the current shape of the Castle and let to reinforcing the Lerici Castle’ strategic importance on the eastern border of Liguria.

Today the castle contains a museum of palaeontology.

References:

Liguria Guide

User Reviews

Kieran Murphy (12 months ago)
Fantastic views from the parapets, well restored and illuminating exhibition of local photographs. Free lift service from the harbour.

Sitesh Sil (13 months ago)
best place in the lerici to have a panoramic view of the mediterrainian sea and pastel coloured buildings of lerici town...the castle entry is free

Oana Panduru (14 months ago)
Lerici is for sure one of the underated place of Italy. This is an fantastic place. Extremely beautiful and tourist friendly. The view from the castle is simply amazing and breathtaking. The port is filled with little boats. On the city streets you can find lots and lots of fantastic restaurants with authentic italian taste- family owned ones with care and love for food. Definitely recommend it. Bonus: the sand of the little beach is simply great.

Vivin Thomas (14 months ago)
You can't enter the castle but the view from up top is quite nice

Anna Cortez (14 months ago)
Beautiful medival castle that sits on the top of the hill. Totally worth visiting if you are in Lerici. From there you have a stunning view of the city and overlooking the Gulf of Poets

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Derbent is the southernmost city in Russia, occupying the narrow gateway between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains connecting the Eurasian steppes to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the south. Derbent claims to be the oldest city in Russia with historical documentation dating to the 8th century BCE. Due to its strategic location, over the course of history, the city changed ownership many times, particularly among the Persian, Arab, Mongol, Timurid, Shirvan and Iranian kingdoms.

Derbent has archaeological structures over 5,000 years old. As a result of this geographic peculiarity, the city developed between two walls, stretching from the mountains to the sea. These fortifications were continuously employed for a millennium and a half, longer than any other extant fortress in the world.

A traditionally and historically Iranian city, the first intensive settlement in the Derbent area dates from the 8th century BC. The site was intermittently controlled by the Persian monarchs, starting from the 6th century BC. Until the 4th century AD, it was part of Caucasian Albania which was a satrap of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. In the 5th century Derbent functioned as a border fortress and the seat of Sassanid Persians. Because of its strategic position on the northern branch of the Silk Route, the fortress was contested by the Khazars in the course of the Khazar-Arab Wars. In 654, Derbent was captured by the Arabs.

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In 2003, UNESCO included the old part of Derbent with traditional buildings in the World Heritage List.

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