Until the second half of the 18th Century, the Linguella tower (also known as the Torre del Martello, or Hammer Tower, due to its shape) was mainly used for storing salt and for processing the annual tuna catch, then it was converted into a prison.
The Torre del Martello is a superb piece of military architecture, built to defend the harbour in the early 16th Century on the orders of Cosimo I de’ Medici as part of his plan to fortify what was then the town of Cosmopoli.
From 1550 onwards a chain (135 metres long) was actually installed beside the tower, running across to the Gallo breakwater, to block off the entrance to the harbour; as well as this barrier function, it was also used as an aid to collecting customs dues. Until the second half of the 18th Century, the Linguella tower (also known as the Torre del Martello, or Hammer Tower, due to its shape) was mainly used for storing salt and for processing the annual tuna catch, then it was converted into a prison.
It became infamous as the location where the anarchist Giovanni Passannante (who attempted to assassinate Italian King Umberto I of Savoy in Naples in November 1878) was imprisoned and suffered terrible treatment. The future Italian President Sandro Pertini. Seriously damaged by bombing raids during the two World Wars, the tower was rebuilt and restored in the 1970s. During these works, the remains of the foundations and floor of a previous building that actually dated back to Roman times came to light.
Opening times
10. AM -12.30 PM / 02.30 PM – 06.40 PM
The ticket office closes 20 minutes before
Prices
Full price € 4,00
Reduced € 5,00
Phone
0565944024
Address
Piazzale della Linguella
Photogallery
