Torra d'Omigna, Coastal defense tower in Cargèse, France
Torra d'Omigna is a coastal tower in Cargèse built from reddish porphyroid granite, rising about 12 meters (39 ft) on a headland and overlooking the gulfs of Peru and Chiuni. Its circular design with defensive openings follows typical Genoese military architecture from the early 1500s.
The Genoese Republic built this tower in 1505 as part of a network protecting Corsican coastal villages from pirate attacks. These watchtowers defended the seas and coastlines for centuries, helping control maritime routes in the region.
The tower demonstrates how Genoese builders designed coastal defense, with its rounded shape, defensive features, and water cistern built into the stone. Inside, the old staircases reveal how soldiers moved through the structure and kept watch.
The tower is easily visible from the sea and reachable by a path from the nearby beach, especially during drier months. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the site sits exposed and offers no shade.
Sentries at different towers communicated through a sophisticated system of smoke signals and fires to warn each other of approaching danger. This visual code allowed rapid messages to travel across long distances.
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