Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure

44°19′56.7″N 9°12′50.3″E / 44.332417°N 9.213972°E / 44.332417; 9.213972TypeCastleSite informationOwnerComune di Santa Margherita LigureOpen to
the publicYesConditionIntactSite historyBuilt1550–17th centuryBuilt byRepublic of GenoaIn use16th–18th centuries

The Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure is a 16th-century fortress in Santa Margherita Ligure, within the Metropolitan City of Genoa in Italy.

History

The fortress is located at the foot of a hill on which the Villa Durazzo-Centurione [it] now stands. It was built following a resolution by the Senate of the Republic of Genoa in 1550, and it was meant to defend against raids from the Barbary pirates. It was designed by Antonio de Càrabo, who was also responsible for the construction of the Castello di Rapallo [it]

Construction began in 1550 and it was completed by September of the same year. Various structural interventions and armament upgrades took place until the early 17th century. After pirate attacks ceased in the 18th century, the fort lost its military importance and only some repair and maintenance works were undertaken.

In the 19th century, there were plans to demolish the building twice: first to build a new municipal building after Rapallo was established as an independent municipality, and then to enlarge the adjacent Calata Vittorio Emanuele. It was restored after World War I and it was dedicated in the memory of the fallen in that war.

Gallery

Tower
Guerite
Interior
Plaque commemorating the fallen of World War I

Bibliography

Barni, Gianluigi (1983). Storia di Rapallo e della gente del Tigullio (in Italian). Genoa: Liguria - Edizioni Sabatelli.
Berri, Pietro (1979). Rapallo nei secoli (in Italian). Rapallo: Edizioni Ipotesi.