Torre Torone
The Torre Torone is located in Forio , one of the six communities of Ischia , Naples, and lies at a strategic location, which is located halfway between the sea and the city center. The Torre Torone, built on a huge lava stone, watches over the hill.
It was built in 1534 and served as a watchtower to protect against barbaric pirate invasions. Today the tower is privately owned.
history
Torre Torone is one of the fortresses in the village of Forio on the island of Ischia, built in 1534 from the famous green tufa of Ischia. The position of the tower is really strategic because, first of all, it is right on the sea, where it served as the first defensive fortress from the shore.
Secondly, the tower is only a few minutes' walk from the center of Forio , which allowed the population of the village to quickly hide behind its walls during the pirate attack. The Torre Torone is also in an advantageous position as it is next to two other observation towers, which has made it easy and quick to communicate with light signals.
Indeed, the towers' main functions were defense and communication with one another.
Tower structure
Like most of the island's towers, Torone is cylindrical in shape. Its walls are made of green tuff, and the building itself was built on a massive lava stone left over from the ancient eruption of the Epomeo volcano . The tower is two-story with a roof area surrounded by a jagged parapet.
The basement served as a warehouse for food and artillery supplies, and there was also a tank for collecting rainwater. The reserves were calculated so that the entire population of the Forio village could survive for several days. On the second floor there was a garrison (about ten people), which followed the approach of enemy ships on the island and was responsible for alerting the citizens and preparing the defense.
The platform on the roof of the tower was equipped with four bronze cannons, which offered protection from all sides due to the round shape of the tower.
Pirate Dragut
Numerous barbaric raids on the island were committed by pirates, the Saracens in particular , many raids and robberies influenced the history of the Torre Torone and all of Ischia.
One of the most tragic pirate attacks was the invasion of the pirate Dragut , a friend and sometimes rival of the famous pirate Barbarossa . Dragut has been dubbed the "Storm of the Seas" because of its ferocity and destructiveness.
In June 1544, Dragut invaded the island and caused great damage: more than 2000 people died and the island was completely devastated and conquered. Dragut lived in the Torre Torone for a while.
Guests
Many tourists staying near the Torre Torone hear strange noises in the evening. Often times, many people think that this is the spirit of the tower, the spirit of a dead pirate, or a military man who served in the garrison during the attacks on the island.
Indeed, tourists hear the sounds of a barn owl that has settled on the roof of Torone and has been its symbol for many years. From May to July this unusual guest settles in the tower every year.
Web links
Coordinates: 40 ° 43 ′ 54.5 ″ N , 13 ° 51 ′ 32.6 ″ E