Mura della citta

The original city centre, in the Castello area, was closed off by a circular wall in the 9th century. Substantial remains of this wall can be seen under Piazza Sarzano and in Via Tommaso Reggio, and in the Chiostro dei Canonici di S. Lorenzo. The second wall, dating back to 1155-61 is called "del Barbarossa" and was built to protect the city, which had grown substantially since the construction of the earlier wall, from the threat of an invasion by the German Emperor. Some remains of this wall can be seen near the Carignano Bridge, as well as at the two gates which allowed entrance into the city, the Porta Soprana o di S. Andrea to the East (the road to Rome) and the Porta dei Vacca (or of S. Fede) to the West (towards France). The city expanded towards Carignano Hill, Castelletto Hill, and the Pre zone. Between 1320 and 1347 the new boundary wall was built, it was then developed and extended along the coast during the 16th century. These walls are largely preserved and are still visible near Piazza della Vittoria (in the background, behind the caravels), the Parco dell'Acquasola, and Corso M. Quadrio (the marina wall). The bulwark which defended the city from the sea dates back to the same period, as is the Porta Siberia (or del Molo). The last and best preserved walls are the so-called "New Walls", built between 1626 and 1633, which form a triangle to protect the city, the vertex of which can be seen in the Forte Sperone: although not much remains on the side next to the sea which is about 6 kilometres long, this is definitely not the case for the 13 kilometres going further into the inland which is still dotted with doors, bastions, and 17th-19th century forts, which make a visit to the Parco urbano delle mura more than worthwhile.

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