Ancient Fortress of Civitavecchia, Civitavecchia

The Ancient Fortress of Civitavecchia, also known as La Rocca, is a medieval stronghold with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. Built on the remains of the ancient Roman dock, it played a crucial role in defending the port and maintaining communications with Rome.

Located near Porta Livorno and Porta Marina, the fortress was part of the protective walls surrounding the old Centumcellae, the original name of Civitavecchia. Constructed under Pope Callixtus III in the mid-1400s, it was designed to fortify the city's seafront, adding another layer of protection against external threats.

Throughout the centuries, the fortress underwent several modifications to adapt to evolving military strategies. In 1464, Pope Paul II ordered the expansion and reinforcement of the fortress, integrating it into the city walls. By the early 1500s, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, a renowned architect of the Renaissance period, further strengthened its defenses, adding two towers-one facing Porta Marina and the other near Porta Livorno. Around the same time, Bramante, the architect behind Fort Michelangelo, oversaw its transformation into a papal residence, solidifying its role as a key political and military stronghold for the Papal States.

Despite its imposing design and strategic importance, the fortress was severely damaged during the World War II bombings of 1943, leaving only fragments of its once-mighty walls. What remains today is a partial structure, still visible near the Roman dock, separated from the rest of the city by the Calata Maggiore.