Torre di Santa Maria, Coastal defense tower in Ustica, Italy
The square tower rises 15 meters high above Cala Santa Maria port, featuring a truncated pyramidal shape with four windows on the northwest side and three on the southeast.
Military engineer Andrea Pigonati designed the tower in 1759 under orders from Charles III of Bourbon, but construction by engineer Sgarbi completed only in 1763 using lava stones.
The structure formed part of Sicily's coastal defense network, enabling visual communication with other fortifications to monitor Saracen incursions across the Mediterranean waters.
The entrance stands at the first floor, with internal spaces arranged around a central corridor leading to various barrel-vaulted rooms across multiple levels.
The tower served as a prison until 1965 and later housed an Archaeological Museum and Municipal Art Gallery before their relocation to the town center.
Location: Ustica
GPS coordinates: 38.70696,13.19332
Latest update: April 9, 2025 00:17
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