Zenobito Tower, Military watchtower in Capraia Isola, Italy

Zenobito Tower is a circular stone structure standing three stories high on the southern tip of Capraia Island with an elevated entrance for defense. A gallery inside overlooks the main chamber and provided views across the sea for surveillance.

The Republic of Genoa built this tower in 1545 as a defensive structure against pirates and privateers threatening the island. It served as part of a larger system of watchtowers that communicated with each other across the surrounding region.

The tower bears its name from an ancient monastery, called cenobio, that existed in the surrounding area during the Early Middle Ages.

Two hiking routes from the island's port lead to the tower, with the coastal path and inland trail each taking several hours to complete. Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes and be prepared for steep terrain and changing weather conditions.

The tower was built in 1545 under the direction of Lorenzo de Negro; when he fell ill, the priest Bacigalupo took over the work. Its red volcanic stones were quarried at the nearby Cala Rossa, the same cove the tower overlooks. The entrance sits at mid-height, reached by a ladder that could be withdrawn, and the tower is an enlarged copy of the twin Torre del Porto.