The Lazaret Dock

The port of Centumcellae, the Roman Civitavecchia, built at the behest of the Trajan Emperor to a design by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus (107 AD), consisted of two piers protected by two twin towers: on the remains of one of them stands today the Lazaret Tower, while the other, on the left pier, disappeared at the end of the 800. Although it appears to be damaged by the bombing of the last war, the pier is still an example of the engineering ability of the Romans, recognizable in the system of channels that crossed it and that it allowed a system of continuous exchange of the waters useful to maintain clean the backdrop and to avoid the cover-up of the dock. In ancient times the structure consisted of a tower, the Fortino di San Pietro, which also served as an internal lighthouse. The actual lighthouse, visible at a great distance, had to be placed on a dam in the open sea, while on the piers there were lanterns, that with the main lighthouse allowed a safe approach and entry at night. The whole structure underwent restoration and reconstruction over the centuries; in 1656, following a plague epidemic, the fort was transformed into a shelter for the infected and, later, in the place where, in a preventive way, were detained crews in quarantine: hence the name of Lazaret Tower and Dock.
Go to the pier to enjoy a suggestive view of the Ancient Harbour and Michelangelo Fortress.