Mantua’s annexation to the Habsburg Empire, in the early 18th century, meant that the city ceased to be the capital of a duchy and one of the principal fortresses defending imperial territories in northern Italy. From that moment, Mantua was drawn into numerous military events, including the wars of succession, the Napoleonic campaigns, and later Risorgimento. At the start of the 19th century, Napoleon’s forces reorganised Mantua as a major river stronghold. When the Austrians returned, the city became part of the Quadrilatero, a defensive system planned by General Radetzky that connected the fortresses of Peschiera, Mantua, Verona and Legnago, following the natural course of the Mincio and Adige rivers. Today, only a few traces of these imposing structures remain. Alongside sections of the oldest city walls, as you leave Mantua via the San Giorgio bridge, you can still see the Sparafucile stronghold, and the Fossamana and Frassino lunettes. The Sparafucile stronghold, formerly known as “San Giorgio”, once belonged to the ancient settlement defending access to the city. It was demolished in the early 19th century as it had become militarily obsolete. Napoleon incorporated it into a new fortification intended to protect the San Giorgio bridge, which was later strengthened by the construction of the Fossamana and Frassino lunettes. These structures, designed to follow the contours of the land and the artillery needs of the period, now stand as important witnesses to Mantua’s military history and the broader conflicts that swept across Europe.