Torre Pelosa, 16th-century coastal watchtower in Torre a Mare district, Bari, Italy.
Torre Pelosa is a 16th-century watchtower standing on the coast near Bari's harbor with solid stone construction typical of Renaissance military design. The structure features thick walls built across multiple levels that once served both for observation and defense purposes.
The tower was built around 1500 under Viceroy Pietro di Toledo's orders in response to coastal raids and attacks from pirates and North African forces. It became part of a broader system designed to protect harbor cities like Bari from these recurring threats.
The tower functions today as a gathering place where the community celebrates its connection to the sea and maritime life. You can experience this through art exhibitions and concerts held in the space, which bring people together around shared local history.
The site is accessible to visitors and located near the harbor where you can see across the Adriatic Sea and surrounding areas. Daytime visits work best when natural light clearly shows the tower's details and water views.
This tower remains one of the best preserved examples among the few coastal towers still standing in the region, showing how the area defended itself. Its location right by the sea makes it easy to understand why such structures were so important for protecting the city.
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