Torra di Turghju, Genoese watchtower in Piana, France.
Torra di Turghju is a stone defensive tower built in the 17th century on the Capu Rossu promontory in Piana. The structure sits at around 331 meters elevation and commands views across the Mediterranean and the Corsican coastline.
The tower was built in 1608 by architect Anton Giovanni Sarrola as part of a Genoese defense strategy against Barbary pirates. It was one of many watchtowers constructed along the island to protect residents from coastal raids.
The tower was part of a coastal defense network that protected the island from threats coming from the sea. Visitors can still sense how strategic this location was for monitoring the waters below.
A marked hiking trail leads to the tower from the D81 road, and the route is technically demanding and requires good fitness. Visitors should bring plenty of water and sun protection, as shade is limited along the path.
The tower still displays original features such as thick stone walls that reveal its 400-year-old construction. The hefty walls have rough surfaces and small openings that are typical of military architecture from that era.
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