Torre dell'Elefante, Medieval fortified tower in Castello district, Cagliari, Italy
The Elephant Tower is a fortified stone structure in Cagliari's Castello district built with three solid walls and one open side facing inward. Inside are four levels with wooden galleries that let you walk up through the tower's interior.
Giovanni Capula designed this defensive structure in 1307 when Pisa controlled the city, building it to guard against attacks from Aragon. The tower became part of the medieval defensive line that protected the southwestern corner of the settlement.
The tower gets its name from a marble elephant statue carved into its southern wall, displayed alongside shields of the Pisan rulers who once controlled the city. These decorations tell you about the medieval connections that shaped this place.
The entrance is located near St. Joseph Church, and you can climb up multiple floors to take in the views. Guided tours run regularly throughout the day to help you navigate the interior safely and learn about what you are seeing.
Over the centuries the tower served as a military fortress, then as homes and a prison, and was even a place where public executions took place. This transformation across time shows how the building's role changed with the city's needs and story.
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