Chronology of the phases of construction
and transformation of the Walls of Sabbioneta
MuraAperTe - Chronology of the Walls of Sabbioneta
The construction of the fortifications of Sabbioneta, ordered by Vespasiano Gonzaga, began during the second half of the 16th century. The intent of the future duke was to provide the capital of his fief with a modern defensive system, consisting of bastions and embankments able to withstand the artillery attacks.
An extended wall in the shape of an irregular hexagon was therefore designed, about six to seven metres high compared to the ground level, composed of an external brick lining supported by buttresses and by a mass of earth behind it and backfill, sloping down towards the inside and surrounded on the outside by a large moat.
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1554
Beginning of construction, starting from the walls of the pre-existing castle towards Porta Vittoria.
1559
Bottaccio writes to Vespasiano
“one third of the work is done”
1560
Probable realization of Porta Vittoria.
1562
Order to move within the walls
1563
Nizzolio writes:
"The moat is surrounded by uncultivated areas with grass and bushes"
1564
Work on the curtain wall from San Gallo to San Rocco begins and the bastion of Santa Maria is completed.
Contract is agreed for the construction of the Bastion of San Giorgio, commissioning bricklayers from Piacenza.
1568
Five bastions are constructed.
1578
Completion of the sixth bastion (San Francesco).
1578-1579
Completion of the curtain wall between the Bastion of Sant’Elmo and San Francesco.
1579
Completion of the Porta Imperiale (memorial plaque).
1589
De Dondi writes:
“In the month of April 1589 his excellency the Duke had poplars planted on all the bastions that surround the city of Sabbioneta and replaced all those that had gone missing behind the curtain walls”
1589
Construction works begin on the covered road.
1590
The covered road is finished.
1703
The Austrians reopen the imperial gate and sell the state properties.
XVII sec.
The ravellin of Porta Vittoria is built, the Porta Imperiale is walled up and the corresponding bridge is demolished.
1794
Demolition of the castle.
1914-1919
Wall demolition project.
1921
Demolition of the ramparts between the bastions of San Nicola and San Giovanni.
1924
Demolition of the ramparts between the bastion of San Francesco and the remains of the castle.
Chronology of the phases of construction and transformation of the Walls of Sabbioneta
“Thanks to their excellent conservation, the walls of Sabbioneta also offer an extraordinary testimony to the military architecture of the late Renaissance”
With the patronage and contribution of:
