Forte Tiburtina, Military fort in Collatino district, Rome, Italy.
Forte Tiburtina is a military fort with a trapezoidal ground plan and straight outer walls, surrounded by a protective ditch with a central casemate. The structure contains ammunition stores, defensive towers, and observation positions typical of late 1800s military design.
Built between 1880 and 1884, the fort was part of a network of 15 defensive structures meant to protect Rome's outskirts. After completion, it served as an outpost near the Aniene River until the 20th century, when it gradually lost its military purpose.
The fort has become a refuge for local wildlife, with plants growing through the walls and birds nesting in the abandoned spaces. This transformation shows how nature gradually reclaims military structures over time.
The fort is located at Via Tiburtina 780 in Rome's Municipality IV and can be reached from Pietralata or Santa Maria del Soccorso railway stations. Visitors should note that access involves walking through the surrounding area, and the grounds are partly uneven in places.
Two natural springs flow within the fort's grounds, providing fresh water to the entire compound. These water sources were a key reason for choosing this location as a defensive position.
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