Castle of Riomaggiore, Medieval castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Riomaggiore, Italy

The Castle of Riomaggiore stands on the hill dividing the Rio Maggiore and Rio Finale valleys, in the upper part of the village. It has a quadrangular layout with two large, stocky circular towers. The site now serves as a conference hall and cultural centre.

Marquis Turcotti initiated construction of this fortress in 1260, and the Genoese completed it after the property came under Nicolo Fieschi's control. These building phases shaped both the structure and its strategic importance in the region's maritime history.

The castle's inner area was filled with earth and turned into Riomaggiore's cemetery under Napoleonic rule and the Ligurian Republic. At the end of the 20th century the complex was restored and given over to cultural use, and today the municipal administration uses it as a conference hall and cultural centre.

Access to the site involves climbing stairs and walking paths that wind through the village, with different routes depending on your starting point and fitness level. Wearing comfortable shoes is important since the climb is steep and the ground surfaces are uneven.

The castle stands on the hill dividing the Rio Maggiore valley from the Rio Finale valley, a position that explains its defensive role. Its plan is quadrangular with two large, squat circular towers. The site was restored at the end of the 20th century and now serves as a conference hall and cultural centre.