Torre del Portitxol, Coastal defense tower in Alghero, Italy
Torre del Portitxol is a coastal stone tower in Alghero featuring thick masonry walls and the compact form typical of Mediterranean fortifications from its era. It sits on rocky ground overlooking the waters and the natural park that extends from the shore.
Built in the second half of the 16th century by coral fishermen from Alghero, this tower became a defensive outpost with a small garrison and cannons. It formed part of a broader chain of fortifications protecting the island during Spanish rule.
This tower is part of a network of coastal structures that protected the island from sea attacks and shaped how people lived along the shoreline. Visitors can observe how these fortifications were woven into daily life and the rhythm of maritime communities.
You can view this tower from outside while walking along paths in Porto Conte Natural Park on terrain that requires sturdy footwear. Weather along the coast can be breezy, especially during certain seasons.
Paleontologists discovered dinosaur fossils near this tower in 2008, including the first synapsid remains ever found in Italy. This paleontological discovery links the fortress to the region's ancient geological past.
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