| Portonovo is a natural
bay, inhabited from prehistory, it was then chosen by the Romans and
the Byzantines. From the late Middle Age to the end of the 19th century,
it was part of the State of the Church During the Napoleonic era several
defensive works were built some are still visible today: the Napoleonic
fortress, for example, is a fortress built by the Napoleon's Italian
Viceroy in 1808. Today the fort is an hotel. Along the beach there is
the beautiful church of S. Maria (11th century). The De Bosis Watch
Tower, was built to prevent pirates attacks; a stone on its façade
reminds us that the Tower was built under Pope Albani in 1716. |