Torrione Alicorno, Tower and national heritage site in Padua, Italy
The Torrione Alicorno is a large round tower in the southern part of Padua, part of the city's Renaissance fortification system. It sits near the Bacchiglione River and was once the southernmost point of the city walls.
The tower was built under Captain Bartolomeo d'Alviano and completed in 1517 by the architect Sebastiano Mariani da Lugano. Over the following centuries it went through several changes, including a planned redesign into a pentagonal shape that was later abandoned due to costs.
The name of the tower comes from the unicorn, the heraldic symbol of the captain who oversaw its construction, representing strength and virtue. This symbol was widely used in the Renaissance world and still gives the tower its identity today.
The tower is located along the southern city walls of Padua and can be reached on foot from the city center. Guided visits are organized in collaboration with the Committee of Walls of Padua and allow access to the interior spaces.
In 2009, part of the tower's wall collapsed onto the street below, which happened to be empty at the time. This event triggered new archaeological investigations and restoration work that helped researchers better understand how the walls were originally built.
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