Torre delle Saline is a conical tower built from local schist stone on the seashore at the northern end of a beach. Built in 1572, it was part of a fortified system of defense, observation, and communication structures along the coasts of Sardinia from the Middle Ages until the mid-19th century. Classified as a torre gagliarda (de armas), it served as a heavy defense fortification and an important outpost for the ancient salt works and fisheries that were present in the immediate vicinity since the 1200s.
The structure features a wall thickness of two meters and a first floor that is a bomb-proof camerone with a diameter of 7.30 meters. A large central pillar supports a mushroom-shaped ceiling, while three loopholes arranged in a radial pattern facilitate ventilation and provide a view of the surrounding area. For security, the entrance is located four meters above the ground, originally accessed by rope or wooden ladders that could be quickly retracted in the event of danger.
A stone staircase leads to the second floor, which features a vaulted room with a central pillar. Access to the yard is provided by a narrow staircase carved into the perimeter wall, terminating in a gateway that may have originally featured a masonry sentry box. The tower was designed to house a garrison of an alcaide and five or six soldiers, equipped with cannons, muskets, and rifles to protect the coast.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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