Torre San Felice, Coastal defense tower in Vieste, Italy.
Torre San Felice is a rectangular stone tower standing on a promontory overlooking the Adriatic Sea, with thick walls and defensive openings cut into its sides. It sits about 8 kilometers south of Vieste's center and can be reached via a path from the coastal road connecting Vieste to Mattinata near San Felice Bay.
The tower was built in 1540 as part of a chain of ten defensive fortifications along the Capitanata coastline. It was designed to monitor foreign vessels approaching the Gargano peninsula and alert the inland garrisons to threats.
The tower got its name from the cavalry system that operated here, where mounted soldiers would send alerts to the nearest garrison. This shows how the region's defense network relied on quick communication between posts.
To reach the tower, use the coastal road between Vieste and Mattinata and look for signs near San Felice Bay, where a walking path leads to the structure. The site is fairly remote, so having a car helps with finding the route easily.
During recent restoration work, a pitched roof was added to its original design, yet the historic crown molding remains visible where the sloped walls meet. This mix of old and new shows how the structure was preserved while making it more weather-resistant.
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