Il Circeo e il sistema di fortificazione di torri sul mare

The coastal fortification system of towers in San Felice Circeo represents a significant historical and architectural heritage, bearing witness to the strategic position of the area along the Tyrrhenian coast. At the heart of this system lies the Napoleonic Fort, a defensive structure dating back to the 19th century, which still remains partially hidden within the surrounding landscape. Built during the Napoleonic era in 1806, the Napoleonic Fort was designed to defend the coastline from potential seaborne attacks. Over time, the fort has undergone several transformations and restorations, which have preserved its structural integrity, allowing visitors to closely admire this historical symbol of San Felice Circeo. However, despite its importance, the fort is currently in a deteriorating condition. This contribution delves into the study of the system of towers and batteries in the Circeo area, with a particular focus on the Napoleonic Fort. It combines the analysis of available bibliographical and iconographic sources with detailed surveying and three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure in its current state, as part of a broader research initiative by the Prin Costa|MED1 project. The pilot area of this research includes the Sabaudia dune and a section of the Circeo cliff. In this context, the integration of advanced digital surveying techniques, such as laser scanning and terrestrial photogrammetry, allows for a deeper investigation of the site, capturing and delivering a detailed depiction of its current condition. This model proves essential for examining the fort’s transformations and preservation in relation to its original form and also serves as a tool for potential future restoration efforts. The photorealistic replica of the site can thus be understood as a new form of archival source, capturing the structure at a specific moment in time, and becoming a tool for research, management, and dissemination of the built heritage.