Guaita Tower
Guaita Tower is a massive stone structure with thick walls and narrow windows, rising on Mount Titan in Cittá di San Marino and known as the oldest of the city's three towers. The building features a small chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara, defensive walls with firing openings, a bell tower with a large bell from the 1500s, and multiple chambers showing centuries-old stone and wooden beams.
Built in the 11th century, the tower was originally the main fortress of San Marino, designed to protect the settlement from invaders. By the 1500s, some rooms became a prison, a function that continued until 1970 when a new prison facility was constructed.
The name "Guaita" comes from Latin meaning watchtower, reflecting its original purpose in protecting the city. Today, it remains a symbol of San Marino's independence and resilience, visible on the country's fifty-cent Euro coin and central to how locals understand their identity.
The tower can be visited by climbing winding stone stairs and narrow corridors that lead to different levels with views of the city and surrounding hills. The final climb to the top involves a metal ladder through a small opening and offers sweeping views, though it requires steady footing and comfort with heights.
A large bell called Campanone was cast in the 1500s to sound alarms and call people to gather, and still rings today during major festivals and celebrations. This direct link between past and present makes the tower feel alive with history in ways visitors often overlook.
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