Fortezza Vecchia
Seventeenth-century coastal fortification near Capo Carbonara, with a permanent exhibition on pirate raids and the defence of the Sardinian coasts.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fortezza Vecchia stands on a rocky promontory about three kilometres south of the town of Villasimius, west of Capo Carbonara, and overlooks the tourist harbour below. It was built to defend the territory against the Barbary corsairs who threatened the southern coasts of Sardinia. The first nucleus, of polygonal plan and perhaps dating back to the 14th century, is probably due to the Aragonese period.
In the Spanish period a structure with four towers, three of them arrowhead-shaped, was added, following a model typical of 17th-century military architecture. The complex was linked to a curtain wall with two entrances and an inner square. Documents from the 18th century describe a small garrison, equipped with a few pieces of artillery and some firearms. The fortress was restored at the end of the 18th century and decommissioned in 1847.
Today the fortress can be visited and, in its open spaces, houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to piracy and coastal fortifications. From the loopholes one can see the towers of Capo Boi and Porto Giunco and the lighthouse of Capo Carbonara.
Highlights
- Structure with four towers from the Spanish period
- Permanent exhibition “Enemigos de la fè, pirati e difensori costieri”
- View of the tourist harbour and the promontory of Capo Carbonara
- View from the loopholes towards the towers of Capo Boi and Porto Giunco
Permanent exhibition
- Enemigos de la fè, pirati e difensori costieri – Open-air route on the Turkish and Barbary raids on the Sardinian coasts between the 16th and 19th centuries, on the earliest piracy and on the history of coastal fortifications.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50 |
| Children & teens | €1Rate for minors; free admission for children up to 6 years and for minors entitled to free entry. |
| Combined ticket (Museo archeologico, Fortezza Vecchia and Casa Todde) | €8Reduced €4; minors €2.50; free for minors entitled to free admission. |
The reduced ticket is reserved for adults entitled to a reduction.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Near the tourist harbour there are both free and paid car parks.
From the centre of Villasimius follow the road towards the harbour and turn right onto an unpaved road of about 100 m that leads to the fortress.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The regional cultural portal mentions the possibility of guided tours. |
