A few minutes from the Le Cannucce bathing establishment, at the end of the Long beach pushing from the establishment at the headland of Punta Ala, stands the Fort Rocchette, a spectacular coastal fortification located on the promontory of the same name, between Castiglione della Pescaia and Punta Ala, in the province of Grosseto. This fascinating structure, originally built as a watchtower in the 12th century, stands majestically over an ancient harbor, near the vanished parish church of Rocca. A papal bull of 1188 attests to its existence, along with that of the pieve, calling it Rocca de Campo Albo.
In the late thirteenth century, precisely in 1289, the fortification was known as Rocchetta de Capalbi. During the second half of the sixteenth century, the defensive structure was significantly strengthened by order of Cosimo I de' Medici, with the aim of improving the defense system along this coast of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Extensions and upgrades transformed the original tower into an imposing fortification, work on which was completed in 1568.
In the second half of the 18th century, the chapel of Our Lady of Carmine alle Rocchette was built near the fort, replacing the lost medieval parish church. The military structure ceased to be used after its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy and was converted into a lighthouse, active until the first half of the last century, when it was sold to private individuals.
Further renovation was carried out between 1878 and 1888, giving the complex its current distinctive appearance.
The Rocchette Fort is characterized by a series of perimeter walls that have surrounded the area of the polygonal fortification since the 16th century. In the center of the northern wing is the square tower, an original medieval structure without its original crowning summit. The other buildings, adjacent to the tower, have summit battlements in several places, while on the outer sides they retain sections of the scarp basement that gives the complex its fortified appearance. Entrance is through a round-arched doorway.
How to reach it from Bagno le Cannucce?
You can walk, the fortress is about 2km as the crow flies, just continue along the beach leaving the Nipple behind, but it is not that easy.
We recommend taking the shuttle that passes right by our establishment and going there, to Roccamare, by bus. We do not recommend using a car because of parking in the high season.
