The origin of the Fort St. John goes back to the 12th century. At the time of the Crusades, the site was granted to the Hospitallers of Jerusalem, who settled there and raise their commandery to carry troops to the Holy land. They first occupy the old chapel of St. - Jean - Baptiste, then undertake the construction of a new Church, a hospital and the Palace of the Commander. The whole is completed in 1365.

Between 1447-1453, King René wants more effectively ensure the defence of the port. It is built on the location of the Maubec Tower, destroyed in 1423, the square tower that bears his name: "Tower of the King René".

In the middle of the 17th, OM shipowners want to strengthen overall by a lookout tower, high enough to be visible from ships to trade at more than 20 Km of the Bay of Marseille. So we do build the "Lantern Tower" or Tour Ronde.

Following the rebellion of Marseilles against the royal power (from 1658 to 1660), Louis XIV was determined to hold the city in respect. He built the citadels at the entrance to the port. August 14, 1668, the first stone of the fort is asked by the Knight of was. Vauban is the estate in 1678 and dig a large pit intended to isolate the promontory.

The fort keeps a strictly military until the French revolution role, before being converted into a State prison. During the second world war, in 1942, the Germans set up in fort inside, ammunition depots to put safe from possible aerial attacks. But in August 1944, munitions explode, destroying a large part of the constructions.

The Fort St. John opens today to the general public with the programming of exhibitions at the Museum of civilization of Europe and the Mediterranean (MuCEM). ­

Nocturne on Friday until 22: 00 (du2 may to 31 October)

Open on sunday