Forte di San Rocco, fort in Marina di Grosseto, Italy
The Forte di San Rocco is a brick fort with thick walls and a rectangular tower at its center that overlooks the sea. A bastion on the western side provided gun placements for coastal defense and features a terrace for surveying approaching ships.
Built between 1788 and 1793 by the Lorraine family, it replaced an older watchtower and served as a coastal defense post. As the surrounding marshes were drained by engineer Leonardo Ximenes and converted to usable land, the fort's military purpose gradually declined.
The fort's name comes from the local canal running alongside it. The Lorraine family, who once ruled this area, left their crest above the entrance as a mark of their authority that remains visible today.
The fort sits in a quiet area near the local marina and is freely accessible to explore from the outside. Weather conditions affect the experience, so visiting on clear days lets you enjoy the terrace views over the water.
The gun bastion served not just as a defensive structure but also as part of an ambitious project to drain surrounding marshes and convert wetlands into farmable territory. This dual purpose is often overlooked, making it a reminder of how practical engineering and military needs worked together.
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