Torri di Fraele, Medieval defensive towers in Valdidentro, Italy.
The Torri di Fraele are two stone towers built at approximately 1930 meters elevation in the Alps, featuring thick walls and reinforced corners constructed for durability. They sit at a strategic point along a historic mountain pass where trade routes once converged.
These towers were built in 1391 to watch over the Strada dell'Alemagna, a crucial trade route crossing the Alps. Over centuries, they lost their original purpose but remained standing as markers of that historical mountain passage.
The towers served as control points where local communities monitored the movement of goods and people crossing the mountain pass below. Walking around them today, you can still sense their role in shaping how this mountain region connected to the broader world.
You can reach the towers by hiking trails that start from parking areas nearby in the valley below. The high elevation and mountain terrain require sturdy footwear and time for acclimatization, especially if you are not used to walking at altitude.
The towers feature entrances positioned well above ground level rather than at the base, a deliberate design choice that made climbing up to enter considerably more difficult for potential attackers. This architectural decision reveals how medieval builders thought about defense in practical terms.
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