Torre dei Conti, Medieval tower in Rome, Italy.
Torre dei Conti is a medieval fortified tower in Rome next to the Colosseum with thick stone walls and narrow windows from the 13th century. The structure sits above the remains of an older Roman forum and shows the typical architecture of when nobles built their houses as defensible positions.
A Pope built this tower in 1238 as a fortified residence for his family over an arch of an older Roman forum. The structure was later damaged by earthquakes and then partially restored during the 1620s.
The tower shows how powerful families in medieval Rome built their homes like fortresses to protect themselves in the city. Visitors can still see the thick walls today, which reveal how important security and control were for the Roman nobility.
The tower sits in the historic area next to the ancient Imperial Forums and is easy to reach on foot from the Colosseum. Its location near other monuments makes it practical to explore the entire archaeological zone in one afternoon.
The tower was originally between 50 and 60 meters tall before strong earthquakes damaged the structure and reduced it to its current height. This dramatic change from natural forces tells a hidden story about the power of Rome beneath the ground.
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