Torre di Bardolino, Rural tower in Giardino district, Placanica, Italy.
Torre di Bardolino is a square-based tower standing three stories high with walls built from river stones and bricks reinforced by corner pilasters. The ground floor and first floor feature vaulted ceilings, while the upper floor has wooden beam construction and opens onto an accessible roof terrace.
The Lamberti family commissioned architect Vincenzo Lamberti to build this rural structure around 1750. The building later passed to the Musco family in the late 1700s, where it has remained.
The tower was designed to serve the farming community rather than for defense, functioning as storage for crops and goods. Its design shows how rural people in Calabria organized and protected their agricultural work.
The roads leading to the tower pass through rural farmland, so sturdy shoes and practical clothing are necessary for the approach. It is best visited during daylight hours with a good map or local guidance.
The construction materials show an unusual blend of local river stones and bricks that regional builders preferred for durability. This combination proved effective for structures that needed to withstand mountain climate conditions.
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