Air raid siren of Teramo, Civil defense alarm in cathedral tower of Teramo, Italy.
The Air raid siren of Teramo is a mechanical warning device mounted at the top of the cathedral bell tower in the center of Teramo, Italy. It runs on wind pressure and was built to send its signal across the whole city from that high point.
The siren was installed in 1937 to warn the population of air attacks and was active through World War II. It was removed in 2011 for restoration and successfully tested again in 2013.
The siren on the cathedral tower is a reminder of a time when a single sound reached every corner of the city at once. Visitors who look up from the square below can still see the device in its original position.
The siren is visible from street level by looking up at the cathedral tower, and the surrounding square offers the clearest view. Visiting during daylight gives you the best chance to spot it clearly against the tower.
The device ran for 74 years without its original mechanical parts being replaced, which is uncommon for a warning system from the 1930s. When tested after restoration, it produced the same sound it had made during its working life.
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