Tour carrée de Sainte-Maxime, Fortified tower in Sainte-Maxime, France
The Tour carrée de Sainte-Maxime is a square defensive tower from the 16th century on the French Mediterranean coast, with thick stone walls and regular openings that show the military style of the time. Visitors can explore its interior and understand how the structure protected the coastline.
The tower was built in the 16th century to protect the coast against raids by sea pirates who regularly threatened the Mediterranean region. From its central position, it could detect approaching ships early and prevent attackers from reaching the harbor.
The tower stands at the heart of the town center, where locals and visitors pass by regularly and see it as part of the community's identity. Its presence reminds people of how coastal defense shaped the growth of Sainte-Maxime.
The tower is located at Place de la Libération in the town center and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors can explore the interior and learn about the coastal defense methods that were used in the region.
The four sides of the tower were arranged so that guards could look down and monitor every area of the harbor and bay. This clever design allowed a small garrison to control a large area effectively.
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