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Island of Elba Fort Focardo
The Fort Focardo is located on the eastern coast
of Elba, at the end of the plain of Mola, a plain well cultivated
that owes its name to the fact that in front of the gulf there
was the ancient port of Capolivieri (Molum).
It stands on a promontory between the Naregno
beach and Capo Perla at the foot of the
town Capolivieri to which belongs. It looks from its strategic
position over the control on the sea of water of Mola and
of Porto Azzurro.
Substantial construction of Spanish Age dates
back to 1678, in obedience to Don Ferdinando
Foscardo, as quotes the inscription inserted inside the
portal: "in the year 1678, ruling the invite Charles, of the
Spains, his Excellency Don Ferdinando Foscardo, ordered to set up
this fort...". The construction of the Fort, was intended to
close the southern entrance of the Gulf of Longone and form with
the Fort of San Giacomo located above the present town Porto
Azzurro, a crossfire of defence system in case of possible
attacks from the sea.
Built in just two years, to avoid the danger that any enemy war
fleets could bombard the fortress of di San
Giacomo of Longone (Porto Azzurro), strategic port in
the defence system of the State of Presidi, the project of
construction and the construction management ware entrusted to
senior Alejandro Piston.
In 1848, was built the the lighthouse, today
classed as fourth category as warning type and in the first
twenty years of the 1900s was home of Raffaello
Brignetti, one of the most famous writers of all time,
who spent his youth while his father was the lighthouse keeper.
Within the walls of the Fort, he gained experiences that led him
to be the Italian sea's most famous writer and Elba became a
source of inspiration and a place of fond memories. Every morning
with his older brother and he sailed round in nearby Portolongone
(Porto Azzurro), where he attended the elementary school.
Today is the Fort owned by the Navy and therefore not open to the
public, although significant is the panorama which can be seen
standing outside its walls, which gives us wonderful views of the
town of Porto Azzurro dominated by San Giacomo
Fort and the beautiful scenery of Cima del
Monte in the background.
Elbaworld suggests
What to visit
Discover places and attractions nearby.
Recommended excursions
Discover incredibly beautiful excursions on Elba Island.
