We have already seen a glimpse of this fortress in my post “Window on the Harbor”. Here you can really get three fortresses for the price of one, which is nothing because the entrance is free of charge.The first one, built between 11th and 12th Centuries, is the round, 30 meters high, plastered tower called “Mastio di Matilde” (Matilda's Keep). Although no proven historical link exists with Matilda of Tuscany, the name of the Countess “has stuck”. The photo of “Bell Tower & Chimneys” was taken from the top of this donjon. The second one is the “Quadratura dei Pisani” (Square fort of the Pisans) built in 14th Century and then enclosed in the huge “Fortezza Vecchia” (Old Fortress) itself, completed in the first years of the 16th Century.
This red brick fortress has three large bastions: the “Canaviglia” is the one with the residence of the Grand Duke overlooking the port. You can see it on the left in the second photo, the bastion on the foreground is called “Ampolletta”.
The last bastion, heavily damaged during the last war, is known as “Capitana” and is the only part closed to the public, for obvious safety reasons. Various events take place inside the “Quadratura” during the summer and a restaurant is open year round.See also: Piazza dei Grani - Scalo Regio - Porta del Duca - Cortile d'Arme - Capitana - Ampolletta - Molo del Soccorso - Canaviglia - Palazzo di Francesco - Mastio di Matilde - From the Top
Search labels: Fortezza Vecchia
11 comments:
I love the colors very much. The reflection and the color. Wonderful. My fave is the first one.
I hope to be able to just site down one of these days in front of the net and appreciate everyone of my favorite blogs. sigh. I am always in a hurry. Take care and thanks for visiting my blog. =)
Hi, looks like a great fort to strall around for a few hours. I notices the tower looks like the tower of thessaloniki. They are a bit different, but from the same age I guess.
(http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/1/6686/t/25127-The-White-Tower-Thessaloniki-0.jpg)
Fortezzas indeed,ou can imagine the defensive role so well. They remind me of Vauban's fortresses dotted here and there on France's coasts! I love the reflection del Mastio di Matilde. Who was Matilde?? ;-)
ciel, you are right, I updated the page...
Wow, how interesting. You live in a country with such a rich & interesting history
That is all just amazing. And your photographs are wonderful; the show perfectly the grandeur of these forts. I find it all very exciting!
Grazie!
The colours the reflection the architecture all so stunning.
Nice fort:)
these are excellent photos. I love the first one with the reflection best. just gorgeous.
Hope the city is able to maintain the structure because it would be a shame to let it fall apart.
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