Forte di Gavi

IMPORTANT NOTICE: from Monday 2 February the Fort will remain closed to the public for major restoration and improvement works until mid-June. The town of Gavi, known for its white wine, has ancient origins, having existed since the Neolithic period. In Roman times, Gavium was an important village, located on the "link" road between the Via Postumia and the Via Emilia. Already in this era, there is talk of a castle perched atop the rock overlooking the town, which allowed control of the ancient road that linked Genoa to Monferrato and Lombardy. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Gavi passed under various rulers and eventually became a Genoese possession. Certain historical records of the castle date back to the 12th century. Passing first into the hands of Barbarossa, then his son Henry, who gave it to the Genoese, the fort was the scene of battles between Tortona, Genoa, and Alessandria. Its true fortress status was achieved thanks to the military engineer Vincenzo Maculano, known as Fiurenzuolo, who in 1625 was commissioned by the Republic of Genoa to study a project to increase the security and military power of the ancient castle. The current configuration is a star-shaped polygon, characterized by six bastions jutting out at acute angles, joined by curtain walls. Within the polygon, two areas can be identified: the keep, or high fort, which encloses the original core, and the Citadel, or low fort, consisting of the later buildings. The keep has an imposing structure, its walls primarily made of square ashlars. The Citadel consists of two long buildings, a chapel, and a low building leading to an internal courtyard. Here, two large cisterns collect rainwater from the roofs. In the low fort, other buildings can be seen, once used as warehouses, storehouses, and a powder magazine. From the second half of the 19th century until 1907, Gavi Fort served as a rural prison. During World War I, it housed Austrian prisoners of war. During World War II, it served as a prison camp for British soldiers, and later, the Germans used it as a prison camp for Italian officers. The tour takes place primarily outdoors; appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended. Dogs are permitted, provided they are on a leash. OPENING HOURS Opening days are listed in the attached PDF; please check the website below for any changes. IMPORTANT NOTICE: from Monday 2 February the Fort will remain closed to the public for major restoration and improvement works, until mid-June. Guided group tours depart at the following times: October to March: 8.30, 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.30 April to September: Weekdays: 8.30, 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.30 Holidays: 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.30, 17.30 The tour takes place mainly outdoors; it is advisable to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Dogs are permitted on a leash. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more or for school groups: drm-pie.gavi@cultura.gov.it or tel. 0143 643554. On holidays, including the first Sundays of the month, reservations are required for all visitors and are made by purchasing tickets in advance online. Tickets can be purchased online at www.museiitaliani.it or via the Musei Italiani app. Payment at the museum ticket office can be made in cash or by POS terminal. PRICES Full price €5; reduced price €2 (18-25 years). Free admission for children under 18, ICOM members, Museum Pass holders, journalists, visitors with disabilities, and their companions (for further free admission, please see the website below). Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.