Castles and fortifications.
The castles and fortresses built in many coastal
and hinterland locations after the tenth century
responded to two needs: defence, as in the case
of the fortresses built on the hills around Genoa,
and celebration, as in the case of the castles built
to emphasise the dominion of noble families over
various territories. Even the ecclesiastical authorities
did not limit themselves to building churches: one
notable example is the case of the bishop's palace
in Castelnuovo Magra, which was built just outside
the ancient castle of Santa Maria between 1273 and
1274 by Bishop Enrico da Fucecchi.
Many castles decayed and gradually fell to ruin
once their original function was redundant, while
others were restored (some in quite recent times)
to their ancient splendour. Many of those who designed
and built castles were people of great importance.
There are numerous examples of wonderful castles
that have remained intact. The Castle of Pietra
di Vobbia is unique because of its perfect integration
between two natural pudding-stone "bulwarks".
The Priamar Fortress in Savona is one of the most
impressive coastal fortifications in the entire
region; the Doria Fortress at Portovenere stands
in a more elevated position. Sarzana is known as
the town of the two fortresses: the fort of Castruccio
Castracani, on the upper ground, and the fort of
Firmafede in the town centre. Villanova d'Albenga
is a fortified town built to defend the entrance
to the Arroscia and Lerone Valleys on the plain
of Albenga.
