Paraggi Castle, Medieval fortress in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy.
Paraggi Castle sits on a small rocky point overlooking the eastern side of Paraggi Bay. The structure displays the typical defensive features of a Genoese coastal fortification built with stone walls positioned directly above the water.
The Republic of Genoa built this coastal fortress in 1626 to protect the region from sea raids. It became part of a broader defensive system that guarded the Ligurian coast for centuries to come.
The fortress demonstrates typical features of Genoese military construction that visitors can observe in its form and positioning today. It stands as a record of the maritime power dynamics that shaped life on this coast for centuries.
You can reach this fortress by walking along Via Paraggi a Monte from Santa Margherita Ligure toward the coast. The exposed position on a rocky point means the area can be quite windy, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
French forces under Napoleon occupied this strategic fortress from 1812 to 1814 during their expansion into Italy. While the French occupation left few visible marks, this period was a defining chapter in the site's history.
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