Torre di San Michele, Coastal defense tower in Cervia, Italy.
Torre di San Michele is a square-shaped coastal defense tower in Cervia with sides measuring 13.5 meters (44 feet) and a height of 22.5 meters (74 feet), featuring walls 3 meters (10 feet) thick. The structure was designed for self-sufficiency, with built-in water tanks and chimney systems to support the garrison living inside.
Earl Michelangelo Maffei commissioned this defensive structure between 1689 and 1691 to protect the town and its salt warehouses from pirate attacks. The construction was part of a broader defensive strategy to secure the Adriatic coast against threats from North African raiders.
The tower is dedicated to Saint Michael Archangel, reflecting the religious devotion of its commissioner Michelangelo Maffei who chose this heavenly protector. This sacred connection shaped how locals viewed the structure beyond its practical role in defending their community.
The Tourist Information office now operates inside the tower, providing visitors with local guidance and regional information. The main access point is located on Via Arnaldo Evangelisti, making it easy for travelers to stop by and gather details about the area.
The garrison living inside had access to built-in water tanks and chimney stacks, making the tower completely self-contained for daily operations. These features turned it into a small self-sufficient fortress where soldiers could remain indefinitely without outside supply.
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