16th-Century Seafront Fortress for Sale on Capraia Island, Tuscany
On Capraia, a rocky, sea-bound outpost in the Tuscan Archipelago, an imposing 16th-century fortress has reemerged—not as a ruin, but as a fully restored private estate. It’s one of the few properties of its kind in the Mediterranean: fortified, secluded, historically intact, and equipped with the kind of amenities that make off-grid life not just possible, but luxurious. This property is on the market with Lionard Luxury Real Estate. Price is disclosed upon application with the listing agency.
Built in 1540 by the Republic of Genoa, the fortress originally served as the island’s only inhabited zone. Until the late 1600s, the population of Capraia lived entirely within its walls. Since 1910, the estate has been privately owned, undergoing a meticulous restoration completed in 2010. It now comes to market for the first time in over a century—price on application.
The island itself is something of a well-kept secret. Closer to Corsica than the Tuscan mainland, Capraia is part of a protected national marine park and has remained strikingly untouched by mass tourism. In fact, it recently received Italy’s “5 Vele” designation—an award reserved for the country’s most pristine, sustainably managed coastlines. For buyers attuned to ecological value and long-term preservation, it’s a rare signal of enduring environmental integrity.
The fortress occupies a commanding three-hectare promontory at the island’s edge, offering rare direct access to the sea via a private path that descends to the rocks. Two swimming pools—one of them an infinity pool placed at the highest elevation on the property—serve as quiet vantage points to watch the sun fall into the western horizon. In terms of seafront privacy, it’s virtually unmatched.
Inside, the property balances fortress-scale stone architecture with understated, modern interiors. Vaulted ceilings, noble arches, and original wooden beams are offset by clean-lined renovations and curated finishes. The spaces are expansive: a 30-seat dining room, a central designer kitchen, a cinema, yoga and fitness studio, and multiple salons designed for hosting. Currently configured with 16 ensuite bedrooms, the layout allows for up to 25 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms across 10 independent apartments—ideal for multi-family estates, private hospitality concepts, or long-term legacy holdings.
Large-format windows open to panoramic views over land and sea, framing Capraia’s rugged topography and pristine waters. The outdoor experience is equally considered: three distinct gardens weave through the estate, and over a thousand years of footpaths stretch across the grounds—originally for defense, now for air and quiet.
While Tuscany’s countryside is synonymous with enduring value, island properties of this scale and provenance are exceedingly rare. And among those, few offer the combination of historical integrity, full restoration, and turnkey modern infrastructure that this one does.
For those with an eye on long-term coastal assets in the Mediterranean, or simply seeking a more cinematic definition of retreat—this fortress on Capraia may be as close to unrepeatable as it gets.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
