In medieval times, the entire Ligurian coast was subject to pirate raids. Manarola was no exception. To defend itself from these attacks, a castle overlooking the sea was built, where today there are the characteristic pastel-colored houses. Completely disappeared, the only visible vestige is the characteristic bastion that stands out among the houses, probably prior to the 13th century.
The memory of a defensive fortification has also remained in the toponymy of the village. The bastion, in fact, today a private house, has an access door in via del Baluardo.
In the XVIII century, a cartography by Matteo Vinzoni shows the fortified structure.