Fortezza dell'Annunziata, Military fortress in Ventimiglia, Italy.

The Fortezza dell'Annunziata is a 19th-century fortress in Ventimiglia, built on the site of a former Friars Minor convent. It consists of a casemate block connected by a thick wall circuit and underground tunnels to the 13th-century Forte San Paolo. The structure later served as the Umberto I barracks.

Originally built as a Franciscan monastery, the fortress was converted to military use in 1831 when border defenses needed reinforcement against French territory. This transformation reflected the strategic importance placed on protecting the coastline during that era.

The Girolamo Rossi Archaeological Museum has occupied the upper level since 1990, displaying regional artifacts and exhibitions that show how different peoples shaped this area over time. Visitors experience the connection between the fortress walls and the local heritage displayed within them.

The fortress stands above Ventimiglia, and the archaeological museum on its raised floor is the part open to visitors. The site is reached on foot from the town, so allow for a climb; the museum office can confirm access and visiting arrangements before you set out.

Underground tunnels connect the fortress to nearby Fort San Paolo, forming a hidden network beneath the city streets. These passages were part of an integrated defense strategy that allowed movement between key military positions.