Torre dei Gambulini, Medieval tower in Mantua, Italy
Torre dei Gambulini is a medieval tower in Mantua built with thick stone walls and a rectangular metal cage fixed to its exterior. The cage remains a striking architectural feature that distinguishes the tower from other structures in the city center.
Built in 1281 by the Acerbi family, the tower passed through different hands before the Gonzaga dynasty acquired it in 1328. A metal cage was added in the 1500s to reflect the growing power of ducal authority in the city.
A large metal cage mounted on the tower's exterior dates to the 1500s and reflects how medieval justice systems operated in the city. The cage served as a public display of judicial authority that people could see as they moved through the streets.
The tower sits at Via Cavour 102 in the city center and is easy to find near the adjacent State Archives building. Visitors can view the structure from the street without needing special access or particular arrangements to see it.
The metal cage on the exterior measures around 2 meters and was officially ordered for removal by the city in 1798, yet it was never taken down. This oversight transformed it into an unintended symbol of how medieval elements can outlast administrative decisions.
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