Torre delle Saline

Torre delle Saline, a coastal town, is home to a conical tower, 12.5 meters high and made of local schist stone. Dating back to 1572, it is part of a system of defense towers and fortifications along Sardinia's shores, spanning the medieval ages to the mid-19th century. This tower, known as Torre delle Saline, belongs to the category of torres de armas, heavy defense towers, designed to protect the surrounding area from potential invasions. However, its primary purpose might have been more clandestine.

The loopholes, or tronere, provided air circulation and allowed for some control over the area, while ladders or steps retractable in case of danger offered access to the first floor, a bomb-proof camerone with a central pillar supporting the roof. The second floor held a vaulted room, while a guard post may have protected the entrance originally. But, something less known lies beneath the tower – a salt mine, known to have been active since the 12th century.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons