The Four Centuries of the Forte di Gavi 1626-2026

Four hundred years of history told in Gavi

2026 marks the fourth centenary of the works that, starting in 1626, transformed the ancient medieval castle of Gavi into the imposing Fort that still dominates the village today. To celebrate this anniversary, the Associazione Amici del Forte e di Gavi has promoted the event "The Four Centuries of the Forte di Gavi 1626-2026. Period tales and archival images", hosted at the Teatro Civico "Lavagnino" in the Municipality of Gavi, in the province of Alessandria, in the heart of Piedmont.

The history of the Fort

After the Franco-Savoyard siege of 1625, which highlighted the fragility of the old castle in the face of new artillery, the Republic of Genoa decided to concentrate its defense in a single strategic point, where the trade routes connecting Genoa to the Po Valley converged. The works, which lasted about four years, lowered the ancient manor to create the central keep and added bastions, walls, and firing positions modeled on the terrain. The design involved a comparison between two important military architects of the time, the Dominican friar Vincenzo da Fiorenzuola and Bartolomeo Bianco.

The event at the Teatro Lavagnino

The evening offers a journey through time via historical images of Gavi, the Fort, and the surrounding area from the 17th century onwards, presented by Marina Cavana and Daniele Calcagno of the Società Storica del Novese. The defensive choices of the Republic of Genoa and the technical challenge between the two architects are also recounted in theatrical form by the association's volunteers, directed by Luigi Pagliantini. Participants in the meeting include, among others, the director of the Fort, Riccardo Vitale, and representatives of the organizations that preserve the historical memory of the area.

A heritage of Piedmont

The Forte di Gavi is one of the most significant fortresses in north-western Italy: during the Napoleonic wars, it remained the only French stronghold in Italy not conquered before the Battle of Marengo; it later became a prison and, in the twentieth century, a prisoner-of-war camp. Today it is protected as a monumental asset and is one of the symbols of the Municipality of Gavi, a village also known for its famous DOCG white wine.

Why attend

• A free cultural event dedicated to the 400th anniversary of a landmark fortress of Piedmont.
• Period tales, archival images, and theatrical storytelling in a single evening.
• The opportunity to discover the history of Gavi and its territory, between Genoa and the Po Valley.