La Fortificazione seicentesca del Golfo della Spezia

The XVII century is considered as the most important period for the formation of the first structured coastal protection of the Gulf of La Spezia. Famous coeval events, having Genoa’s Republic involved in a state of confusion within European powers, lead to a significant reinforcement of the defence of the territory. The new structures, heading to the existing fortress of Santa Maria and forming a precise layout of the coastal towers along the western side of the gulf, were capable of observing and contrasting all types of naval attacks. Today this system appears mostly dilapidated: part of it was adapted for the construction of a new arsenal during the nineteenth century, while some buildings were wiped out by the urban expansion. In the municipality of Porto Venere, the only surviving tower from the XVII century is “Torre Scola”, which is recognized as an outstanding element within the local landscape, and since 1997 included in the UNESCO’s site of “Porto Venere, Cinque Terre and the islands”. The aim of this paper is thus to contribute to the knowledge of this heritage almost completely erased, but which remains as evidence of the first stage of militarization of La Spezia’s Gulf.