Forte Gonzaga, Military fortress in Messina, Italy
The fort features an irregular star shape with multiple bastions and stands on Montepiselli hill, overlooking the Strait of Messina and surrounding territories.
Military engineer Antonio Ferramolino designed and constructed the fortress between 1540 and 1545 as a defense against the expanding Ottoman Empire forces.
The fortress bears the name of Don Ferrante Gonzaga, the Viceroy of Sicily, representing the influence of the noble Gonzaga family in Italian military architecture.
The municipality of Messina maintains current projects to transform the historical structure into a museum and conference center for public access.
German and Italian troops used the fortress during World War II before American forces converted it into an artillery observation post against mainland Italy.
Location: Messina
Inception: 1537
Address: Via Montepiselli, 64
GPS coordinates: 38.18810,15.54083
Latest update: March 10, 2025 15:49
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