Description of the attraction
Castello della Dragonara Castle is one of the popular tourist attractions in the resort town of Camogli, located on the Ligurian Riviera di Levante. This defensive structure stands on Via Isola. According to some historical documents, the construction of the castle dates back to the first half of the 13th century, but there is no reliable information about the exact date of its construction to this day.
The first Castello della Dragonara, which was probably smaller, was used as an excellent observation post and defensive structure - it stood guard over the fishing village and that part of the Paradiso Bay that lies opposite the cliff. In addition, in the castle, the inhabitants of Camogli chose their representatives in power, and could also take refuge inside in the event of an unexpected attack by pirates.
In the second half of the 14th century, Castello della Dragonara was seriously fortified to better protect the inhabitants of the fishing village - the necessary weapons were received from the Senate of the Republic of Genoa. In the same century, the castle repelled several attacks, although it was partially destroyed, first from Gian Galeazzo Visconti, and then, in 1366, from Nicolo Fieschi.
Between 1428 and 1430, the castle was expanded and re-fortified, this time with the help of the inhabitants of Camogli, in particular, an observation tower was built. Despite this, in 1438 the building was besieged by the troops of the Duchy of Milan, and part of its walls were dismantled. A few years later, the residents of Camogli rebuilt new walls, while the money for the construction was collected, as they say, by the whole world.
Ten years later, in 1448, tension in relations between Camogli, neighboring Recco and Genoa began to grow, and the government of the Republic of Genoa demanded the demolition of Castello della Dragonara. The castle was destroyed, but just 6 years later it was erected again, again by the forces of the inhabitants of the city, and transferred to the jurisdiction of the ruler of the republic.
In the 16th century, Castello della Dragonara lost its defensive functions and began to be used as a prison. And in the 1970s, after several decades of neglect, the castle was restored and opened to the public. On its territory there is an aquarium with species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans typical of the Paradiso Bay.
