Torre dei Capocci, Medieval residential tower at Piazza San Martino ai Monti, Rome, Italy
Torre dei Capocci is a medieval residential tower on Piazza San Martino ai Monti with a square base and seven floors rising 36 meters (118 feet). The facade features small travertine-framed windows, and the top has a parapet with merlons for defense.
The tower was built in the 12th century by the Arcioni family as a defensive and residential structure. The Capocci family later acquired it and expanded the surrounding area by constructing additional houses.
The upper sections contain original brickwork salvaged from the Baths of Caracalla, showing how medieval residents reused ancient Roman materials in their constructions. This practice was typical of the time and made building more affordable for families living in the city.
The tower stands on an open plaza and is visible from all sides, though interior access is typically not available to visitors. The best time to view and photograph it is during early morning or late afternoon when light catches the facade nicely.
A noticeable color difference on the third floor marks where neighboring buildings once connected to the tower before being demolished in the 1800s. These traces show how the surrounding neighborhood changed and evolved over the centuries.
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