Vignazza Tower, Giardini Naxos, Italy

Vignazza Tower is a coastal watchtower in Giardini Naxos with a quadrangular structure, three stories high. It was constructed in 1544 to patrol Cape Schisò and the coast south of Port Schisò against the raids of the Barbary corsairs who were led by the Turkish corsair Barbarossa Kheir-ed-Din to attack and plunder the small fishing villages on the coast. When an enemy ship was sighted, the guardian of the watchtower sent out smoke signals to alert the villagers and other watchtowers of the imminent threat. There were many watchtowers such as Vignazza constructed along the Sicilian coast.

Vignazza Tower is located in the Recanati area of Giardini Naxos and is annexed to the archeological park. Its interior is occasionally used for exhibitions and performances.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Italy

User Reviews

rosario catania (11 months ago)
La Torre Vignazza è una struttura quadrangolare, alta tre piani, costruita nel 1544 per controllare Capo Schisó e la costa a sud di Porto Schisò contro le incursioni dei corsari barbareschi guidati da Barbarossa. Quando una nave nemica veniva avvistata, il guardiano della torre di guardia inviava segnali di fumo per avvisare dell'imminente minaccia gli abitanti del villaggio e le altre torri di guardia costruite lungo la costa siciliana. La Torre Vignazza si trova nella zona Recanati di Giardini Naxos ed è annessa al parco archeologico. Al suo interno si svolgono occasionalmente mostre ed esibizioni. Attualmente chiusa vista dall'esterno.

Rick op 't Ende (2 years ago)

Walter Aber (5 years ago)
Nothing in particular to see

Ferdinando Borbone (6 years ago)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Ninara

Historic Site of the week

The Church of the Holy Cross

The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).

The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.

The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.

Vignazza Tower

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

The Church of the Holy Cross