Torre della pagliazza, Byzantine tower in central Florence, Italy
Torre della Pagliazza is a Byzantine tower in central Florence with a square base and distinctive brick walls. The complex now houses an archaeological museum displaying Roman thermal bath remains and artifacts spanning different historical periods.
Built between the sixth and seventh centuries on Roman thermal foundations, it is the oldest remaining building in Florence's historic center. Later it served as a women's prison, showing how its use changed across different eras.
The tower's name comes from the straw mattresses that female prisoners used when it served as a jail in the twelfth century. This naming reflects how deeply the building is tied to its past as a women's detention place.
You can visit the archaeological museum inside the tower to see Roman bath remains and artifacts from various periods. The location in the city center makes it easy to reach, and you can view the preserved structures at your own pace.
The tower preserves a Roman calidarium in its basement, revealing ancient thermal baths beneath the medieval structure. This archaeological layer shows how Florence was built directly on top of Roman foundations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
