Fortezza Medicea, Renaissance fortress in Siena, Italy

The Fortezza Medicea, also called Forte di Santa Barbara, is a brick fortress with a rectangular plan, about 180 by 125 metres inside and roughly 270 by 200 metres across its outer bastions. Four pentagonal corner bastions named San Filippo, San Francesco, San Domenico and La Madonna follow the Italian bastioned front. The entrance, once protected by a drawbridge, is on the north-east side near the Lizza gardens, and broad walkways run along the wide walls.

Duke Cosimo I de' Medici ordered its construction in 1561 following Spain's conquest of Siena and local uprisings that threatened control. The fortress was designed to consolidate Medici power and prevent future revolts in the region.

The fortress is home to the Siena Jazz association, which has its operational base here and organises concerts. It also houses an enoteca devoted to local wine, and its grounds host exhibitions and festivals. The inner parade ground holds a permanent amphitheatre-shaped structure for open-air summer performances.

The fortress stands on the northern edge of central Siena and is easily reached on foot from the city's main squares. Wear comfortable shoes since walking the grounds involves cobblestone paths and uneven surfaces.

The lion heads and Medici coats of arms on the bastions are attributed to the Florentine sculptor Francesco Camilliani. The south bastion, named "La Madonna", kept only the lion head. Under the main entrance lies the "Ponte della Vecchia", named after a statue moved there in 1815.