Fort Altavilla is located north of the Conero Park, bordering the urban area of Ancona, in the Pietralacroce district. Situated on a promontory overlooking the sea, the building was constructed immediately after the unification of Italy, between 1863 and 1866, designed by engineer Giuseppe Morando. This was when Ancona was proclaimed a first-class fortress due to the strategic importance of its port, the only one in the Adriatic (Venice still belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire) capable of hosting the fleet of the new Italian state.