Fort Filippo
Fort Filippo (Fort Philip) is a coastal fortification located in the municipality of Monte Argentario, on the summit of a promontory that dominates the hamlet of Porto Ercole and the entire bay of the old port from the north-east.
History
The present fortification was built by the architect Giovanni Camerini shortly after the mid-16th century, on the site of an earlier sighting structure, to implement and improve the defence system of the Presidi State. The same architect had also participated in the construction of other defensive structures in the area, including Fort Stella.
The site chosen by the Spanish for the construction of the defensive complex was already the site of Fort Sant'Ermo, a defensive work built by the Sienese during the 15th century to strengthen the defence system along the southern coastal stretch of the territory then administered by the Republic of Siena. With the passage of the entire area into the Stato dei Presidi, the pre-existing Sienese fortification was deemed unsuitable for integration into the new defence system: it was therefore decided to demolish it to make way for the current fortified structure, which was built in 1558. The name was chosen in honour of King Philip II of Spain, who directly commissioned Camerini to carry out the work.
The modern-style fortification built in this manner began to perform its functions of sighting and, if necessary, defence and offence, with the possibility of active integration with the nearby Mulinaccio tower. Given its position on the summit of an inaccessible hillock, the complex was considered practically impregnable and, in the event of enemy attacks, it became the headquarters of the general staff.
Between the end of the 18th century and the early 19th century, various renovations were carried out, by the French during the Napoleonic period and by the Lorraine after the passage of the entire territory into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It was at this time that it was decided to build the Chapel of St. Nicholas in place of the pre-existing late 16th-century chapel.
After the Unification of Italy, the complex was gradually decommissioned from its original military functions, only to be turned into a prison at the end of the 19th century and, during the Second World War, became a place of refuge for the population during the numerous bombings that hit the area.
In the second half of the last century, the complex was sold to private owners, later restored and brought back to its former glory; the buildings inside the fortress, which were formerly used for military purposes, were converted into residential buildings. Before the final renovations were carried out, the complex also belonged to the Princes Corsini of Florence.
WikipediaWebsite:https://www.monteargentario.info/forte-filippo.htm
