Giglio: the five tower island

The island is famous for its beaches, for its nature, for the breathtaking views of the sea. But there is also another way to discover this place, a route little known but no less fascinating. An itinerary that will introduce you to the five towers of Giglio Island.

Torre del Saraceno – It is located in Giglio Porto, and it is also known as Tower of Porto. Torre del Saraceno is located on the granite cliffs of this area, and has a circular plan. It owes its name to an incursion of pirates that severely damaged but not destroyed its structure.

Torre del Campese – Protects the northern part of Campese Beach, in the area of Giglio Campese. It was built in the sixteenth century by Cosimo de Medici as a protection against the incursions of the Saracens. Even this tower has a circular plan. Today it is used as a private residence.

Torre del Lazzaretto – It is located just north of the aforementioned town of Giglio Porto. Built in a position overlooking the sea, unlike the first two towers it has a quadrangular plan. During the eighteenth century there was also built a hospital for the quarantine of travelers coming from risk epidemic risk areas, from which came the current name of the tower.

Castellare del Giglio – It was located in the village of Giglio Porto, a coastal defensive structure built in the sixteenth century. Of Castellare del Giglio, today there are not even the ruins, which instead were still visible until a few years ago.

Forte della Scoperta – It is located on the island of Giannutri, built between 1807 and 1808 by the French during the Napoleonic period. Today there are visible remains of the walls at the top of the eponymous hill, located between Cala Maestra and Cala Spalmatoio.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/lucalaz