FORTE DI GAVI

The Fortress of Gavi is a historical defensive fortress built by the Genoese on top of a pre-existing castle of medieval origin, of which there are certain records dating back to the 12th century. The actual character of the fortress was achieved thanks to the intervention of the military engineer Vincenzo Maculano known as Fiurenzuolo, who in 1625, was commissioned by the Republic of Genoa to study the project in order to increase its security and war power. The current configuration is that of a star polygon, characterised by six bastions stretching out at acute angles joined together by curtains. Two zones can be identified within the polygon: the keep or high fort, which encloses the original core, and the Citadel or low fort, consisting of the rear buildings. During the two world wars of the 20th century, the fort was used to house prisoners of war. The various main areas of the fortress can be visited: the inner and outer courtyards, the watchtowers, the prison cells, the warehouses used to store provisions, and the entrances to the fortress equipped with defensive drawbridges. Educational rooms displaying war relics and a section with detailed descriptive and historical tables complete the museum tour. Inside the fortress, which is included in the Castelli Aperti (Open Castles) circuit, historical re-enactments in costume, cycles of conferences, debates and photographic and pictorial exhibitions are held periodically.