Torre dei Leuti, Medieval tower in central Ferrara, Italy

Torre dei Leuti stands at the crossing of Corso Porta Reno and Via Capo delle Volte, rising about 30 metres with base walls up to 145 centimetres thick and few windows along its shaft. Its bell chamber opens on all four sides with double-arched windows and still holds its bells.

Built probably around the 9th century, when Ferrara was forming along the old course of the Po, the tower was one of 32 standing by the 12th century and served as first defence against threats from the nearby river. A plaque on Corso Porta Reno records its transfer to the San Paolo convent by an act of Marquis Leonello d'Este in 1442, though the city historian dates the change to the Carmelite friars' purchase of 1317. From at least the 15th century it was the bell tower of the neighbouring church of San Paolo.

The tower's names Leuti, Lenzi and Leuci reflect the noble family from Ravenna that owned it, and for a time it was called Torre della Vita. Its bell, cast in 1443 and brought from the church of Sant'Andrea, rang to announce Mass in San Paolo, which Martin Luther attended during his 1510 stay in Ferrara.

The tower is centrally located in Ferrara and easy to find while exploring the old town. Since it now contains residential apartments, interior visits are not possible, but you can view and photograph the exterior from the street.

The bell frame holds an old bell cast with the year 1443, brought from the church of Sant'Andrea. According to tradition, its ringing announced the Mass in San Paolo that Martin Luther attended during his stop in Ferrara on his journey to Rome in 1510.