Photo: Stefano.nicolucci at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Fortress / Tower
- Period
- Renaissance, 1501
- Architect
- Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 41°27′24″ N, 12°39′21″ E
- Address
- via Antonio Gramsci, 5
History and description
Forte Sangallo, also known as the Fortezza di Nettuno, is a Renaissance fortification built on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the historic village of the City of Nettuno, in the south of Rome. The fortification is a very popular tourist destination today with its well-preserved old quarter (the medieval village) with narrow streets and small squares.
History
Forte Sangallo was built in 1501 by Pope Alexander VI and his son Cesare Borgia. The project is attributed to the Renaissance architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, a true specialist in war fortifications. The fort was tasked to defend the city of Nettuno of a possible attack by sea; at the time Nettuno was considered as the "breadbasket of Lazio". A beautiful drawbridge gives access to the inner court graced by an arcade of round arches.
After the House of Borgia, over the centuries, Forte Sangallo first passes to the Colonna family, then to the Apostolic Camera and from the nineteenth century to the Borghese family. In 1931, the fort belonged to baron Alberto Fassini. Among its guests Forte Sangallo also hosted Queen Marie of Romania and Princess Ileana of Romania, in 1931. In 1997, Forte Sangallo was acquired by Nettuno Council.
It represents the artistic and cultural heart of the town. In the fort, the Municipality of Nettuno set up conferences and contemporary art exhibitions.
Forte Sangallo also houses the "Museo dello Sbrarco Alleato" (Allied Landing Museum) of the Battle of Anzio.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Forte Sangallo».
Timeline
- 1501Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
NettunoTrain, nearest
600 m as the crow flies
Forte Sangallovia Antonio Gramsci, 5
Anzio2.5 km
Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino38.5 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore fortresses and towers in Lazio
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Forte Sangallo?
Forte Sangallo is in Nettuno, in the province of Roma (Lazio), Italy. Address: via Antonio Gramsci, 5. GPS coordinates: 41.45670, 12.65597.
How old is Forte Sangallo?
Wikidata dates it to 1501.
What else is there to see near Forte Sangallo?
Nearby you’ll find: Riserva naturale provinciale Villa Borghese (1.2 km away), Paradiso sul mare (1.8 km away), Villa Adele (2.3 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Forte Sangallo — Stefano.nicolucci at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Forte Sangallo ponte1 — Stefano.nicolucci at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Forte Sangallo visto dalla spiaggia — Aquila12, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Forte Sangallo1 — Stefano.nicolucci at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Giardino Forte Sangallo1 — Stefano.nicolucci at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Il Forte Sangallo a Nettuno — Albarubescens, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Il giardino di Forte Sangallo — Aquila12, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nettuno - Forte Sangallo 01 — Pietro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2019-06 Nettuno (2) — Marek Mróz, CC BY 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences