The construction of this imposing fortress commissioned Pope Julius II bears the hallmarks of some of Italy’s most storied architects and artists. Donato Bramante initiated construction, while the outer ring with four towers was completed in 1535, by which time the incumbent Pope was Paulus II de Farnese. It was intended to protect the port and town of Civitavecchia, Italy from attacks by pirates during the period that it was part of the Papal States. The later elevated section of the fort was designed by the famous Renaissance artist Michelangelo di Lodovico…
