Torre Bruciata, Roman tower in Piazza Sant'Anna, Teramo, Italy.
Torre Bruciata is a Roman tower in Piazza Sant'Anna, Teramo, built from precisely cut travertine blocks arranged in a square base. It stands near the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Aprutiensis and displays characteristic Roman construction methods.
The tower originates from Roman times and received its name after a devastating fire in 1156, sparked during conflicts between Roberto II di Bassavilla and King William I of Palermo. This fire permanently altered its appearance and became a defining moment in its history.
The tower's name refers to the fire of 1156 that damaged it, and this event remains part of local memory and identity. Visitors today encounter a structure that carries this historical trauma visibly in its appearance.
The tower is centrally located in Teramo on Piazza Sant'Anna and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors can view it from outside at any time and observe it from various angles without special arrangements.
The tower served simultaneously as a defensive fortification and as a bell tower for the nearby cathedral, reflecting its dual purpose in the medieval city. This combination shows how protection and religious function were intertwined in that era.
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