Defending the small island that lies southwest of Sardinia was a real problem in the past, both because of its geographical location and its coastline, which was often targeted by barbarian raids. It was decided to erect the city’s first watchtower and defense fort in 1738, and later, in 1768, construction was begun with local stone and trachyte blocks of the fort called “Torre Vittorio,” in honor of Prince Victor Amadeus III of Savoy, the next King of Sardinia. The purpose of the fort was to defend the southern, flat and easily landable area. Still existing on the same site, in the locality of Spalmadoreddu, is a building housing the former. Astronomical Observatory, of considerable scientific importance, which now houses the St. Victor Tower Multimedia Museum. After the barbarian invasion of 1798 there was a greater need to defend the island so in 1806 the construction of a wall enclosing the entire town was begun. In 1806 work began on the construction of the 1st blockhouse, near the waterfront, named Emanuel in honor of the King. Work continued for many years, because the design called for a wall challenging in length, interspersed with forts and gates that were closed at sunset and reopened at dawn. The work was not completed until 1914, although by then its function had faded. From 1816, in fact, barbarian raids became less frequent so the towers lost their defensive role, thus falling into a state of neglect. They were partly put up for sale and purchased by both the municipality and private citizens, who turned them into civilian dwellings. Only the fort “of the Sanità” remained in the State Property to house the Royal Guard of the Gabelle, later transformed into the Lazaretto. In 1924 it was determined to demolish it and use its stones to build the seawall on the harbor. The same fate was suffered by Fort St. Charles in 1928. The other forts were demolished by neglect and time. Of the imposing fortification remain a substantial part facing west, a short section to the north, two forts-the Santa Cristina, the Santa Teresa-and the Lion Gate, so named for the lion protome carved in the stone.
Menu
