Torre Cabrera, 16th-century coastal watchtower in Marina di Ragusa, Italy.
Torre Cabrera is a 16th-century coastal watchtower in Marina di Ragusa standing about 28 meters tall across three levels. The structure displays Gothic features including ribbed vaults and three-light windows typical of the period.
The tower was built between 1584 and 1596 under the direction of Don Ludovico Enriquez-Cabrera as part of coastal defense efforts. It served as a crucial point in the system designed to ward off attackers approaching from the sea.
The tower was part of a larger defensive network protecting Sicily's shoreline from threats arriving by sea. People used it to spot and warn of approaching attackers from the water.
The tower stands in an accessible coastal location where visitors can view it from outside and walk around the structure. A visit works best in good weather when the surroundings and architectural details are clear and easy to observe.
In June 1606, Barbary pirates attacked the tower and captured its warden in a raid, showing the constant danger this structure faced. Such assaults were routine threats for the crews stationed at these coastal fortifications.
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