Description of the attraction
Levanto Castle is an ancient defensive structure located in the southern part of the historic city center. It was once part of the city wall of Levanto, a resort on the Ligurian coast of Italy.
According to some historical documents, a fortress on the site of the current castle existed as early as the 12th century, during the reign of the Malaspina family. And already in the 13th century there are the first mentions of a castle called Castello di Monale. The current structure belongs to the period when Levanto was part of the Republic of Genoa - the second half of the 16th century. It was probably rebuilt from a pre-existing medieval castle. The alteration of the old city walls dates back to the same time.
With the creation in 1637 of the Captain Levanto, the castle became the temporary residence of the captain, and was later turned into a prison - this function it performed until the fall of the Genoese Republic at the end of the 18th century. Then, in the second half of the 19th century, Castello Do Levanto was sold to private hands. And today the castle, restored at the beginning of the last century, is a private property.
Castello di Levanto consists of four walls in the shape of a quadrangle and a round tower. The Valgang deserves special attention - the upper part of the moat, framed by Ghibelline battlements and brick arches. In the southern and eastern walls, openings for firearms are visible, made during the Genoese reconstruction of the castle in the 16th century. But three window openings in the tower belong to a later period. Among the decorations of the castle, it is worth noting two bas-reliefs in the Genoese style depicting the Annunciation (15th century) and St. George defeating the dragon (16th century). According to legend, under Castello di Levanto there are several secret passages leading to the beach and towards the church of Santissima Annunziata with a monastery.
