The old fort is the symbol of Medicean Livorno. Designed by the Florentine, Antonio da Sangallo, building commenced in 1521 and was completed under Duke Alessandro dei Medici in 1534.

Arriving by water, we are surprised by its Tuscan red colour, its massive, solid appearance lightened by the curves of the bastions and the sloping walls which lend it a certain elegance.

Its historic value is further increased by the fact that it contains even older buildings inside, such as the square tower, cited in 1103 in the deed with which Countess Matilde di Canossa donated the village of Livorno for the construction of the Pisa cathedral, the circular tower, built around 1241 and formed by two concentric cylinders linked by a stone spiral stairway, and the quadratura dei Pisani, a square stronghold surmounted by a walkway running round the perimeter. When Cosimo, the first Grand-Duke of Tuscany, began the plans for building the port of Livorno, he had a palace built for himself inside the Fort so he could keep a close eye on this great enterprise. The building was erected against the east side of the Quadratura dei Pisani and a gallery connected it to a chapel dedicated to St. Francis. Cosimo’s successor, Francesco, built his palace on the Canaviglia bastion, on the side of the fort facing the sea.

Before a strip of asphalt connected it to the land, the fort was entirely surrounded by water and entry was by way of a system of floating pontoons which also allowed access by horses and carriages.

In the eighteen hundreds it was used as a prison: during the Risorgimento it housed political prisoners, including Francesco Domenico Guerrazzi, Enrico Bartelloni and Don Maggini.

Badly damaged by bombardments, it was restored after the war.