Torre San Felice, Coastal defense tower in Vieste, Italy.
Torre San Felice is a medium-sized coastal tower built in 1540, the eighth tower of the Capitanata and the easternmost of the Gargano towers. It was raised to receive and relay signals from neighbouring towers and also guarded the small harbour of the same name. A later elevation has altered its proportions, and its entrance is now walled up.
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 takes its name from the nearby San Felice bay and small harbour, which it was built to protect alongside its signalling role. In 1594 Carlo Gambacorta recorded it in his manuscript Visita delle Torri di Capitanata, describing the tower during his inspection of the coastal defences.
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.
In the 1980s the area around the tower was known for a mobile food stall whose sign read "Sebbene vuoi mangiare qui da Sandro devi comprare" — even if you want to eat here at Sandro's, you have to buy. The tower's entrance is now walled up to prevent unauthorised use.
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