Forte Focardo, Military fort in Capoliveri, Italy
Forte Focardo is a coastal defense structure on Elba built with a square footprint featuring four corner bastions and two smaller bastions on the northern and eastern sides. The fortress has thick stone walls designed to command the strait between the island and the mainland.
A Spanish governor ordered the construction of this defense structure in 1678 to protect against pirates and maintain control of crown territories in the area. It was built during a period when control of this island was crucial for Mediterranean trade protection.
The fort takes its name from a Spanish governor and reflects how trade routes and power struggles shaped this region's past. Visitors today can observe this strategic importance in the sturdy construction and commanding position overlooking the strait.
Visitors can reach the fort by following an unmarked road or hiking from Naregno Beach, located a short distance from Capoliveri. The paths are not always clearly marked, so being familiar with the area or asking locals for directions is helpful.
Inside the fortress stands an octagonal lighthouse made of pink limestone, built and maintained by the Italian Navy, which still guides ships through the strait. This distinctive tower is often overlooked by visitors despite being one of the few active lighthouses in the immediate area.
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