Tower of Marceddi

The Old Tower, built in 1580 as part of the defense system of the Gulf of Oristano, was designed to protect the region from Saracen raids. About 9 meters high, it was made of basalt stone and had two cannons on the upper terrace, a mortar and two guns. It was manned by an alcade, artilleryman or soldiers paid by the local lordship or merchants in the area. Access was via a ladder that could be retracted in case of attack. Inside the tower was a large hall with a tholos vault and a waterproofed cistern for water supply. There was a brazier on the terrace to signal danger to nearby towers. During World War II, the tower underwent some modifications, including the creation of an entrance on the ground floor and the construction of an adjacent blockhouse. It recently underwent a conservation restoration as part of the Maristanis project, completed in 2020. Now the restored tower serves as a visitor center and vantage point for observing bird life, providing information on the environment, nature and history of the area.

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