Governare il mare. Due mari fortificati lungo lo stretto di Piombino tra il XVI e il XVII secolo

Abstract

[EN] The new 16th century fortification theories, with which “modern-style” fortification began, were also established by the sea. The control of the strategic maritime frontier from Livorno to Piombino and to the islands was implemented through articulated and complex instruments developed both by the coasts and by the sea; famous architects of the time contributed to these fortification solutions. The present contribution aims to investigate in parallel the evolution of the port fortification systems of Livorno and Portoferraio from the first half of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century. The two systems were strategic strongholds of the maritime frontier of Medicean Tuscany, which developed within a complicated chessboard full of disputes in which the new Spanish frontier broke through. In this articulated framework, Livorno’s forefront and the military port of Elba were constantly fortified synergically and dynamically according to the principles of the "science of war".