The start of the 18th century saw an increase in commercial activity in the region, due to the business brought to the town thanks to it’s access to the sea. This increase in activity made it necessary to build a fort overlooking and defending the port. The fort was built in 1786 under the orders of Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany, and with the cooperation of Federigo Barbolai of Montauto, Governor of Livorno.
The town then grew up around the fort, as the area began to develop both economically and culturally after the draining of the marshes. After a number of reconstructions, a powder magazine belonging to the Captaincy was built alongside the fort in 1827.
Today, the fort is surround by tree-lined streets and the interior houses the Museum of Satire and Caricature, which opened in 1997.

Photos © www.coltisbagli.it