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IMG_5596 Elba

Linguella Tower, Portoferraio, Elba Island

The fortified structure of the tower was built in the early 16th century on the spot where stood the remains of an ancient Roman Villa. It owes its creation to Medici, who would in the Tower, one more defensive structure to protect the port of Portoferraio. The coastal Tower has an octagonal plan, with a crease articulated in the lower part bordering the below base, which on six of the eight sides rests directly on the rocky strand of the sea.

 

The top of the Linguella Tower has a greater overhang than the bottom, where on the summit ends with some mighty brackets that surround the terrace originally used for sighting. The walls of the tower is entirely covered with red bricks with some finishing touches of white marble and with traces of stone curtain walls that are at the north-western corner of the tower, going to delimit externally a bastion structure with shoe base, which previously gave it an additional element of security to the entire complex.

 

The Navy installed a lighthouse on the western corner of walls of the tower for the night lighting of the port area of Portoferraio.

This supreme example of military architecture to defend the port of Portoferraio was designed by Giovanni Camerini in 1548. In the past the Linguella Tower, was linked to the Gallo Tower from a big chain, which prevented for defensive purposes the entrance into the dock of Portoferraio.

In the 17th century, Grand Duke Ferdinando II, did reinforce the ramparts overlooking the sea. The bastion of St. Francis and the sentry box on which stands the cross of Lorena was rebuilt after the war devastation.

 

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Uploaded on March 1, 2017
Taken on July 31, 2009