Many centuries have passed from the pirates’ invasions of the Italian coast. However, there is always something magical about these past histories.

The idea of seeing places that switch back to an unknown past, it’s always so attractive. Touching a tower stone or visit the inside, can offer a concrete idea about what happened.

It is a past that we cannot live anymore, but no one can forbid us to fantasize.

In this article, we tried to group ten of the most amazing Italian tower watches, along with their legends, facts, and beautiful images.

• Torre di Punta Campanella – Massa Lubrense

It is an old watch tower which divides Sorrento Peninsula to Positano.

The name “Campanella” means “little bell”, which it was rung when any kind of danger was going to happen or the enemy was sighted.

About its ruins there is a controversy:

Some consider that it might date back to the Greek empire, whom built also a temple.

Others, believe that it might be attributed to Ulysses’ myth.

According to the legend, pirates disembarked to Sorrento stole everything form Saint Antonino’s Church, also bells.

On their way back to the ship, nearby Punta Campanella, they got into a so powerful thunderstorm that sank pirate’s ship.

It is said that every year around Saint Antonino’s Day, people hear the bells in the bottom of the sea.

• Torre di Carlo V – Agrigento

The dimensions of this so tough tower show until today the importance of the place to protect.

From XV century “Marina di Girgenti” was one of the most important grain loaders. Which, unfortunately brought many invaders on looting this rich area.

The promotion of this tower was advocated by Carlo V. For this reason, the tower watch was named after him.

In order to protect this site and its gorgeous Sicilian economy, was built the fortress in defense of the pirates’ raids.

• Torre del Serpe – Otranto

It is one of the most important Salento’ s fortresses.

The tower watch was advocated by Federico II to avoid pirates’ incursions.

Torre del Serpe, means literally “Sneak Tower”. According to the legend, a sneak lived in this fort, and it was fed with the oil used to light up the lighthouse.

A day, Saracens, tempted by the beautiful coast, were unable to invade Otranto.

The astute snake figured the upcoming danger, and blew the oil of the lighthouse off.

• Torre Astura – Nettuno

A peninsula in the Nettuno village, on the coast of Latina. It is a tower still in good conditions, located near the Bussana beach.

To remember that it was one of the last places that Marc Antony visited before he was captured by Augusto.

The fortress was joined to the mainland by a bridge as it now remains, a peninsula projecting into the sea.

It is surmounted by a fortified tower, called the Torre di Astura

• Torre dell’Arma – Imperia

Huge tower watch, it controls the entire headland, and it overlooks Costa Balena, between Arma di Taggia and Sanremo.

Torre dell’Arma was built around 1565, because Taggia and Bussana, as many other sea villages, were subjected to several pirates’ assaults.

Due to its massive building, in rhombus shape it allowed an excellent view which enabled the watcher to alert their population in case invaders were approaching the coastline.

• Garitta di Santa Tecla – Acireale

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Turks started invading Sicilian Saint Tecla’s coasts from XVI century.

To prevent countless attacks was built the garitta or sentry box on very sharp volcanic reefs.

The garitta is a covered tower that protected the watcher from the rain, wind, heat.

• Torre la Scafa – Cagliari

By the end of 1500 Torre della Scafa was guarded to avoid enemies to loot the Sardinia island.

Unfortunately, the structure was damaged by a rough storm in 1898, but it was rebuilt in a different way.

There are two floor levels in its tower and can have access to the terrace and have a spectacular view of Cagliari coastline.

• Torre Lapillo – Lecce

It is a square shaped tower with access stairway and three very high arches.

To protect the Salento’s population from the Saracens, the structure was demanded on Carlo V’ s request.

The sturdy building it’s a hot tourists tower.

spot. Million people want to visit this venue to check-out the so well-built tower.

• Torre Incina – Polignano a Mare

In the XVI century, the emperor Carlo V ordered to build tower watch along this area, too.

Towers were built in strategic spots where the invaders were going to be discouraged on their attacks.

Also, the towers were closer to each other to facilitate communication.

Sentries were able to inform one to the other their villagers about impending attacks.

• Il Torrione – Ischia

It is the biggest and the most famous tower watch in Ischia island.

It dates back to the XV century when too many invaders were attacking this beautiful place.

The structure is pretty big, because on three levels and it was built on top of tuff rock.

As per today, the venue became a local museum that attracts tourists from all around the world.

ANTONIA L. MOSCA