Mastio di Matilde tower of the Old Fortress, a fortification overlooking the port of Livorno and built by the Medici family, Tuscany, Italy

---

The Fortezza Vecchia ('Old Fortress') which dominates the old Medici port, is an important symbol of Livorno. Originating in medieval times, the fortress has developed over many centuries to become what it's today. The Mastio di Matilde was built in masonry on a circular base and about 30 meters high, the tower overlooking the Old Fortress connoting its appearance. Although the tradition ascribes its construction to the Countess Matilda of Canossa, in reality its construction is attributable to the Republic of Pisa.

---

Size: 4272px × 2848px
Location: Livorno, Tuscany, Italy
Photo credit: © Stella Zeri / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: 16th, ancient, architecture, attraction, brick, building, century, city, coastal, copy, culture, defensive, destination, di, district, downtown, europe, european, exterior, facade, family, fort, fortezza, fortification, fortress, high, historic, historical, history, italian, italy, landmark, livorno, mastio, matilde, medici, medieval, people, sky, space, structure, sunny, symbol, tourism, tower, town, travel, tuscan, tuscany, vacation, vecchia, visit, wall