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The area, rich in military architecture, offers visitors the chance to see some stunning towers, forts, castles reflecting its rich history.
Rocca Fortress in Porto Ercole
The “Rocca”, or Santa Barbara Fortress, is the largest military construction of Argentario. It has an irregular shape to fit perfectly the hill of which it was founded. Its total area reaches 26,000 square metres, of which about 14,500 are part of the stately fencing-walls. The Rocca was built during different periods and centuries, following the population and military events of Porto Ercole. This fortress has a unique wall shape leaning to the sea, and its remarkable draw-bridge is the only way to enter the building.
Argentiera Tower
This tower is one of the oldest buildings, as it was built by the Sienese in 15th century. This is a really particular tower: though belonging to the range of sighting towers, it is not built on the coast like the others but in the inland, located at the top of Argentiera Hill, dominating four valleys, Pozzarello, Forconata, Castagno and Campone. This square tower is composed by two rooms: one is a water deposit, while the other was accommodation for watchmen. It’s one peculiarity is the lack of real entrance doors or external stairways, in fact it only presents a small opening on the Northern side. Sadly this tower is not in a good condition, but its renovation is underway.
Stella Fortress
The building is a remarkable architectural structure with an exemplary draw-bridge, though its main purpose was just sighting and not defensive. Together with Filippo Fortress, it was one of the most important strongholds of military organization in Porto Ercole.. The construction of this fortress dates back centuries. It is located at the bottom of Monte Telegrafo in a special position dominating the whole Cala dei Santi.
Santa Caterina Fortress
This Fortress was built in a special position, at the bottom of the hill of Monte Filippo, at the very jut leaning to the sea, for an important purpose: it allowed the one-level barrage fire, impossible from all the other fortresses and outposts. However, its main function was not the defensive one but it was used as a battery; it has moreover been used also as a hospital and here a famous Italian painterCaravaggio, was taken when he was found dying on Cala Galera Beach. Like other fortresses, also Santa Caterina is empowered by a fencing-wall of notable thickness and by a draw-bridge. It is in a very good repair.
Porto San Stefano Fortress
Spanish Fortress in Porto S. Stefano is an enormous tower, measuring 35 x 35 square metres, on two levels. It was built during the second half of 16th century to fortify and defend the area.
Lividonia Tower this Spanish tower, dated between the 16th and of 17th century, commands a superb view of.the NW coast of Argentario. This stately building has the shape of a high parallelogram square and it is still in excellent condition, considering its age.
The Cala Moresca Tower dates back to the 16th century. The Spanish tower was built at the centre of Cala Moresca to improve observations of the sea. Its upper level is partly destroyed. The Cala Piatti Tower is another observational tower built at the same time, it has a round shape, making it less visible among the rocks and the slopes. This building is divided into two parts; the ground level acted as a water deposit while the upper open-air section was used as watchmen’s lodgings. It is still in a very good repair.
Part of the Capo d'Uomo Tower was destroyed. Based in a square building dating back to the end of 16th century it is located on the top of Punta di Capo D’Omo. Thanks to its position, 385 m. height above sea level, this tower has excellent coastal views.
One of the most beautiful towers, the Maddalena Tower was built by the Sienese Government (XV° sec.) and modified by the Spanish. This building is divided into two parts; the ground level acted as a water deposit while the upper open-air section was used as watchmen’s lodgings.
Built between 16th and 18th century the polygonal Cannelle Tower is built on Cannelle Beach and is surrounded by a low defensive wall. It is still in a very good repair.
Ciana Tower is an ancient tower, first built by the Sienese Government, and later on modified by the Spanish in order to facilitate signalling between the numerous outposts. It has a round shape with a single non-inhabitable room and is clung to the rocks at the centre of Poggio di Bocca D’Inferno.
The 16th-century Avvoltore Tower has a square shape and is fenced off by a surrounding wall. It consists in two rooms at the ground level and one at the upper level.
Rocca Fortress in Porto Ercole
The “Rocca”, or Santa Barbara Fortress, is the largest military construction of Argentario. It has an irregular shape to fit perfectly the hill of which it was founded. Its total area reaches 26,000 square metres, of which about 14,500 are part of the stately fencing-walls. The Rocca was built during different periods and centuries, following the population and military events of Porto Ercole. This fortress has a unique wall shape leaning to the sea, and its remarkable draw-bridge is the only way to enter the building.
Argentiera Tower
This tower is one of the oldest buildings, as it was built by the Sienese in 15th century. This is a really particular tower: though belonging to the range of sighting towers, it is not built on the coast like the others but in the inland, located at the top of Argentiera Hill, dominating four valleys, Pozzarello, Forconata, Castagno and Campone. This square tower is composed by two rooms: one is a water deposit, while the other was accommodation for watchmen. It’s one peculiarity is the lack of real entrance doors or external stairways, in fact it only presents a small opening on the Northern side. Sadly this tower is not in a good condition, but its renovation is underway.
Stella Fortress
The building is a remarkable architectural structure with an exemplary draw-bridge, though its main purpose was just sighting and not defensive. Together with Filippo Fortress, it was one of the most important strongholds of military organization in Porto Ercole.. The construction of this fortress dates back centuries. It is located at the bottom of Monte Telegrafo in a special position dominating the whole Cala dei Santi.
Santa Caterina Fortress
This Fortress was built in a special position, at the bottom of the hill of Monte Filippo, at the very jut leaning to the sea, for an important purpose: it allowed the one-level barrage fire, impossible from all the other fortresses and outposts. However, its main function was not the defensive one but it was used as a battery; it has moreover been used also as a hospital and here a famous Italian painterCaravaggio, was taken when he was found dying on Cala Galera Beach. Like other fortresses, also Santa Caterina is empowered by a fencing-wall of notable thickness and by a draw-bridge. It is in a very good repair.
Porto San Stefano Fortress
Spanish Fortress in Porto S. Stefano is an enormous tower, measuring 35 x 35 square metres, on two levels. It was built during the second half of 16th century to fortify and defend the area.
Lividonia Tower this Spanish tower, dated between the 16th and of 17th century, commands a superb view of.the NW coast of Argentario. This stately building has the shape of a high parallelogram square and it is still in excellent condition, considering its age.
The Cala Moresca Tower dates back to the 16th century. The Spanish tower was built at the centre of Cala Moresca to improve observations of the sea. Its upper level is partly destroyed. The Cala Piatti Tower is another observational tower built at the same time, it has a round shape, making it less visible among the rocks and the slopes. This building is divided into two parts; the ground level acted as a water deposit while the upper open-air section was used as watchmen’s lodgings. It is still in a very good repair.
Part of the Capo d'Uomo Tower was destroyed. Based in a square building dating back to the end of 16th century it is located on the top of Punta di Capo D’Omo. Thanks to its position, 385 m. height above sea level, this tower has excellent coastal views.
One of the most beautiful towers, the Maddalena Tower was built by the Sienese Government (XV° sec.) and modified by the Spanish. This building is divided into two parts; the ground level acted as a water deposit while the upper open-air section was used as watchmen’s lodgings.
Built between 16th and 18th century the polygonal Cannelle Tower is built on Cannelle Beach and is surrounded by a low defensive wall. It is still in a very good repair.
Ciana Tower is an ancient tower, first built by the Sienese Government, and later on modified by the Spanish in order to facilitate signalling between the numerous outposts. It has a round shape with a single non-inhabitable room and is clung to the rocks at the centre of Poggio di Bocca D’Inferno.
The 16th-century Avvoltore Tower has a square shape and is fenced off by a surrounding wall. It consists in two rooms at the ground level and one at the upper level.
