Description
The Castello di Coderone, or Rocca di Coderone, is the medieval fortress built by the Republic of Genoa on a hill east of Biassa, the village in the hills above La Spezia. It tells a chapter of the long struggle between Genoa and Pisa.
The fortress was built in the second half of the 13th century as a Genoese stronghold against the Pisans. Around its walls a small village grew up, with a church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.
It was partly settled by the people of Roccanera, the first nucleus of Biassa, which had grown up on nearby Monte Parodi. They climbed the hill to work as sharecroppers and soldiers in the service of the Genoese consuls.
Toward the end of the 15th century the fortress lost its military importance and became the feudal seat of the lords of Biassa. The last inhabitants of the hill then moved down into the nearby valley, where today's village stands.
The fortress was built in the second half of the 13th century as a Genoese stronghold against the Pisans. Around its walls a small village grew up, with a church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.
It was partly settled by the people of Roccanera, the first nucleus of Biassa, which had grown up on nearby Monte Parodi. They climbed the hill to work as sharecroppers and soldiers in the service of the Genoese consuls.
Toward the end of the 15th century the fortress lost its military importance and became the feudal seat of the lords of Biassa. The last inhabitants of the hill then moved down into the nearby valley, where today's village stands.