![Fortezza Santa Barbara [Explore] | by AristodemoDc](http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50016023418_877394f66e.jpg)
AristodemoDc
Fortezza Santa Barbara [Explore]
Built on a pre-existing medieval fortress erected by the Florentines in 1331 near a chapel dedicated to San Barnaba and destroyed by Pistoia in retaliation in 1343, it preserves the large tower and modest traces of those ancient structures.
It was built at the behest of Cosimo I de 'Medici, the works began in 1539 and were directed by Giovan Battista Bellucci. The intent was to end the warlike ambitions of the Pistoia area rather than external threats. The central core was enlarged by Bernardo Buontalenti who connected it with a new bulwark to the city walls.
It was disarmed by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo in 1774, after having sustained a single siege throughout its history, that of 1643, when the Barberini troops attacked the city and were repelled. It was later used as a barracks, military prison, district. Inside the Germans in 1944 shot four young people from Pistoia.
Fortezza Santa Barbara [Explore]
Built on a pre-existing medieval fortress erected by the Florentines in 1331 near a chapel dedicated to San Barnaba and destroyed by Pistoia in retaliation in 1343, it preserves the large tower and modest traces of those ancient structures.
It was built at the behest of Cosimo I de 'Medici, the works began in 1539 and were directed by Giovan Battista Bellucci. The intent was to end the warlike ambitions of the Pistoia area rather than external threats. The central core was enlarged by Bernardo Buontalenti who connected it with a new bulwark to the city walls.
It was disarmed by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo in 1774, after having sustained a single siege throughout its history, that of 1643, when the Barberini troops attacked the city and were repelled. It was later used as a barracks, military prison, district. Inside the Germans in 1944 shot four young people from Pistoia.