Torre della Castagna, Medieval tower in Piazzetta San Martino, Florence, Italy
The Torre della Castagna is a medieval tower standing near the House of Dante, built with sturdy stone walls and narrow windows characteristic of defensive architecture. The structure rises several stories and retains its original defensive features to this day.
Built before 1038, the tower served as the assembly place for Florence's guild leaders from 1282 onwards until the Palazzo Bargello was completed. During this period it played a vital role in the city's governance and major decisions.
The tower takes its name from a voting method where the city's guild leaders used chestnuts placed in bags to count votes during important civic matters.
The tower is located near the Dante monument in central Florence and is easy to reach on foot. The surrounding area is well-maintained and the location offers good sightlines for viewing the structure and its architectural details.
The tower served as an isolation chamber: city leaders would lock themselves inside for several days during voting periods to shield their decisions from outside pressure. This unusual practice reflected how seriously they took the integrity of their voting process.
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