Old Fortress, Coastal fort in Livorno, Italy
Old Fortress is a hexagonal coastal fortification featuring three named bastions connected by robust stone walls that rise above the Mediterranean. The structure forms a unified defensive system that once protected the harbor from within.
The fortress began as an 11th-century tower commissioned by Countess Matilda of Tuscany, then underwent major expansion and reinforcement under Medici rule in the early 1500s. This transformation made it one of the coast's strongest defenses.
The fortress walls witnessed Livorno's elevation to city status, making it a symbol of the port's rise as a major trading center. Visitors can still see the rooms where this significant moment took place.
Visitors can explore the fortress on most days, though opening hours may vary by season. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since reaching all bastions involves climbing stairs and walking uneven stone paths.
In the 1600s, scientists conducted an experiment here to test a principle of motion physics, revealing that the fortress served as a stage for scientific progress. This was an era when hands-on testing advanced theoretical understanding.
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