Torre di Adalberto, Medieval tower in Città Alta, Bergamo, Italy.
Torre di Adalberto, also called Torre della Fame, stands at the outer corner of the Visconti Citadel in Bergamo. Built of sandstone, it has a single entrance a few metres above ground, reached by wooden stairs that were removed to prevent entry. It is the only surviving tower of the eleven that once formed the citadel.
The tower was founded by Bishop Adalberto, appointed in 888, who resisted the conquest of Lombard cities. After his imprisonment, he rebuilt the structure following his release.
The structure took its name Torre della Fame during the Serenissima Republic period when it functioned as a prison for tax evaders. This role reflected how medieval buildings adapted to serve different purposes within the city's legal system.
The tower stands at the outer corner of the Cittadella viscontea in Città Alta, reachable on foot through the upper town's lanes. Its only doorway is set a few metres above ground and is reached by stairs, so the interior is not step-free. The structure is a surviving fragment of the fortified complex, not a full circuit to walk.
The entrance sits several meters above ground and was originally accessible only by wooden stairs that could be removed during attacks. This design allowed residents to keep invaders out and protect the tower from the outside.
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