The stronghold stands on what remains of the ancient walls in the Castello neighbourhood.
The modern fortification, erected on the wishes of the mayor Ottone Bacaredda, was designed by the architects Fulgenzio Setti and Giuseppe Costa developed from a previous idea by Gaetano Cima. The stronghold, built between 1896 and 1902, encompasses the bastions of the Zecca, the Sperone and Santa Caterina.
This modern monumental gateway takes its name from the first viceroy from Turin, Baron Saint Remy, and links Castello to the neighbourhoods of Marina and Villanova below.
The compound consists of a monumental double staircase which, from piazza Costituzione, leads to the covered passageway, the triumphal arch and the terrace of Umberto I.
The covered passage dug out of the old Zecca stronghold, was designed as a banqueting hall, used as an infirmary during the First World War and was seriously damaged by allied bombing during the Second World War.
There is an incredible view over the city and port from the Umberto I terrace, and it also provides access to the Santa Caterina stronghold.
