Torre di Chia, Coastal defense tower in Chia, Italy.
Torre di Chia is a watchtower standing on Sardinia's southern coast with thick stone walls and an elevated position overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The structure commands wide views across the water and the surrounding coastline from its height.
Spanish authorities built this watchtower in the late 1500s as part of a defense network against pirate raids along the coast. This system of towers developed because the shore faced regular threats from sea-based attacks.
The tower was part of a coastal warning system that shaped daily life for local communities living under the constant threat of sea-based dangers. Its presence reflects how people relied on this structure to organize their sense of safety and movement along the shore.
The tower is reachable by following marked trails from Chia beach, with parking available near the structure. Wear comfortable shoes since paths cross open terrain, and conditions change depending on sun exposure or recent rain.
Nearby lie archaeological remains of Bithia, a former Phoenician and Punic settlement with artifacts spanning many centuries of maritime activity. These discoveries reveal the location held importance long before the Spanish watchtower was built.
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