Fortress of Mont’Alfonso (Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso)

The fortress of Monte Alfonso (or Mont’Alfonso) is one of the most striking and best-preserved fortified sites between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. It was built in a dominant position above the centre of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana as a military outpost to guard the south-western boundaries of the Este state. Originally conceived as a real newly founded settlement that developed over time, it remained unfinished, except for the circuit of walls that still defines its bastioned perimeter. Within this enclosure are a number of historic buildings (including the ancient Rocca di Monti fortress, of late medieval origin) spread over a vast grassland area of more than six hectares, with high scenic value that stretches across a plateau overlooking the Serchio valley and the Apuan Alps.

Monte Alfonso is an eponymous fortress, which owes its name to Duke Alfonso II d’Este, who had it designed and partially built in the second half of the 16th century, as part of a series of highly ambitious interventions to strategically strengthen the military infrastructure on the borders of the Este state both to the north, towards Venice, and to the west and south, towards Lucca and Florence. Today, for this imposing structure owned by the Province of Lucca, an ambitious project of restoration (largely completed) and enhancement is underway that will allow its wider fruition as a highly complex cultural asset, devoted to education, research, environmental experimentation and, in a broader sense, tourist enjoyment.