The Wine Bar inside the Fortress

The Medicean Fortress

16th Century.

Construction of the Medicean Fortress began in April 1548 by order of Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, with the consent of King Carlo V of Spain, who was protector of Principality of Piombino, of which Elba was part. 

The fortification system, designed by architects Bellucci and Camerini is composed of two defensive areas: La Linguella and the Fronte di Attacco. These two extremes of the harbour are connected by a series of ramparts and covered passageways that also include Fort Stella and Fort Falcone.

The Enoteca, or Wine Bar, is situated in the Fronte d'Attacco, within the original  bastions that are approx. 500m long and which flank the western part of Cosmopolis, City of Cosimo, the old name for Portoferraio. The architectonic structure was intended to be imposing, majestic and above all protective of the frequent pirate attacks.