Torre Catena, Tower in Italy

Torre Catena is a small medieval defensive tower standing on the Adige river in Verona. It was built as part of a chain system that could block boats and regulate traffic and trade passing through the city's waterway.

The tower was built in the early 1300s under Cangrande della Scala as part of Verona's river defenses. It remained in operation during Venetian rule starting in 1405, continuing to control boats and regulate traffic on the Adige.

The name refers to the barrier chain strung across the Adige from the tower and a spur of the Scaliger wall, with a third tower probably anchoring the opposite bank. Under the Republic of Venice the chain was still raised at night to stop boats smuggling goods or making hostile moves.

The tower is not open to visitors but can be viewed from outside while crossing the Ponte Risorgimento or walking along the riverbank. The best views are from the bridge and the adjacent riverside path where you can see its structure clearly.

The chain was strung across the Adige at night to stop boats from smuggling goods or carrying out hostile acts, and it stayed in use under the Republic of Venice. A third tower, now gone, probably stood on the opposite bank to hold the other end.