Castello di Belforte, Medieval castle ruins at Timavo River mouth, Monfalcone, Italy
Castello di Belforte was a Venetian fortress built on an artificial island at the mouth of the Timavo River near Monfalcone. The island was constructed by sinking three ships filled with stones to create a solid foundation for the defensive structure.
Venice ordered construction of this fortress in 1284 to block the Timavo port during conflicts with Aquileia. The installation was designed as a border fortification and played a key role in the medieval power struggles of the region.
The fortress served as a Venetian stronghold that regulated commerce flowing between the lagoon and the Friuli region. Soldiers posted there monitored river traffic and protected Venetian merchant interests in this border zone.
The ruins of the fortress now lie beneath mud layers in front of the Lisert industrial area and are barely visible from the surface. A visit requires interest in archaeology and local history, as there is no official infrastructure at the site.
The fortress was protected by a stone wall called Porporella that shielded the artificial island from sea storms and attacking vessels. This structure was necessary to secure the facility built under difficult conditions.
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