Studi sul castello di Firmum nelle Marche, antica fortezza adriatica

Abstract

[EN] The paper examines the system of fortifications on the Adriatic coast in the large stretch belonging to the Papal State which had to face the Turkish danger and piracy attacks. Between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, privateering was one of the greatest dangers for coastal towns. The protective barrier was made up of towers, guard posts and more complex structures that presented a complex fortified configuration, to counter the enemy and make the landing safe, allowing trade and fishing activity. Unfortunately, collapses, neglect, earthquakes, and bombings but also a series of voluntary demolitions due to the massive urban growth have made illegible this coastal defence system. Among the most interesting castles, we can examine the ancient Adriatic castle of Firmum in the Marche Region. Its importance is demonstrated by a series of documents, between the 14th and 18th centuries and in particular by the inspections of military engineers to verify the state of the fortifications and prepare a military barrier. A new reading of these documents, rich in information and drawings, together with the new surveys of the still existing fortifications is particularly interesting for understanding the defence methods of the Adriatic coast.