The San Giorgio Castle is a Genoan military fortification which dominates the city from its hills (so-called “colli”) since the XVIII century. It can be reached through the Via XXVII Marzo or with a lift, which departs from the Via del Prione, stops in Via XX Settembre one level below the Castle, and from there reaches the Castle in a few seconds.
From the San Giorgio castle you can view sea and town, the naturally sheltering shape of the Gulf, and see its very natural call for military defence, once expressed with this fortress and today with an important naval arsenal.
The original core of the castle was an old fort, which was enlarged by Nicolò Fieschi, who in 1262 wanted to strengthen its domination in the area. But in 1273 the troops of the Republic of Genoa led by Oberto Doria conquered, destroyed and looted La Spezia, beating the Fieschi’s troops. Nicolò Fieschi had to give all his possessions, including the fortress to La Superba – “Th Superbe” – Republic of Genoa.
In 1343, when the doge Simone Boccanegra elected “Spetia” city of the new Podesta, the castle was rebuilt. At this time also the new town walls were built: today we have only three hundred meters of what once was an imposive defensive building that surrounded the whole town, but you can still see the original battlement features and the walkways of the guarding patrols going down from the castle to the original heart of the city: the Sant’Agostino area, once the commercial hub, with an important salt market.
The San Giorgio castle has been in ruins for a very long time, today, after careful restoration which lasted more than a decade, is at the center of the cultural and social community life, in its former glory. Inside, you can visit ad the archaeological collections of the Civic Museum “Ubaldo Formentini”, and see the impressive inner structure of the fortress.
The location can also host weddings and parties, with the use of the beautiful terrace overlooking the sea.
Visiting hours:
Winter: Wednesday to Sunday 9:30 to 12:30 am / 2-5pm; Mondays 9:30 to 12:30am.
Summer: from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30am to 4:30pm; Mondays 10:30am to 1:30pm.
Closing days: Monday evening, Tuesday, January 1, December 24 and 25.
On reservation, there is a stair lift for wheelchair access.
Ticket €5,50€
Reduced fare ticket €4.00€
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september, 2016
