Torre del Porto, Medieval watchtower in Porto Torres, Italy

Torre del Porto is an octagonal coastal tower on Piazza Colombo in Porto Torres, built in 1325 by order of the Aragonese admiral Francesco Carroz. It stands 14 to 16 metres high, with walls of regular stone blocks coated in plaster to prevent climbing. Inside, three levels hold a cistern, a vaulted room and a terrace with a sentry box.

Construction of the defensive structure began in 1325, when coastal port towns needed protection against raids and maritime threats. The tower was built during an era when such structures were essential to safeguard people and trade activity.

The tower shapes how the harbor area looks and feels today, standing as a reminder of when watchtowers were part of daily life in the port. Locals view it as a symbol of their city's past and use the surrounding plaza as a gathering point in the heart of Porto Torres.

The tower is located on Piazza Cristoforo Colombo and is easy to reach when visiting the harbor or walking through the town center. Visitors should keep in mind that access and conditions can vary depending on the season and weather.

In 1851 Sassari's civic councillors asked the government for a lighthouse to ease entry into the port; mayor Giacomo Deliperi then wrote to deputy Niccolò Ferracciu to secure a light for night landings, and the tower became the lighthouse. A marble plaque on the south-west side records the 1725 repair.