If you find a vacation rental in the charming city of Cagliari, the pretty and colourful capital seaside city in southern Sardinia, one of the must-see attractions is the Torre dell'Elefante (or Tower of the Elephant). This rather impressive medieval tower is located in the lovely Castello historical quarter of the city and was built in 1307.
Built during the period of the Pisan occupation of the city, by the acclaimed Sardinian architect Giovanni Capula, it was constructed as part of the city's fortifications in order to protect against the imminent invasion by the Aragonese.
Measuring 31m in height, it is constructed on three sides from white limestone that was sourced in Colle di Bonaria nearby and was left open on the third.
Built during the period of the Pisan occupation of the city, by the acclaimed Sardinian architect Giovanni Capula, it was constructed as part of the city's fortifications in order to protect against the imminent invasion by the Aragonese.
Measuring 31m in height, it is constructed on three sides from white limestone that was sourced in Colle di Bonaria nearby and was left open on the third.
Later, during the Aragonese rule, the tower was modified and used as a jail and its walls were used to hang the severed heads of those execute in the jail. In 1906, it was restored and reopened in the sections that had been covered over the years, during periods of alterations, returning it somewhat to its former state.
One of only two Pisan towers still standing in the town, this unique building gained its interesting name from the sculpted elephant figure located on the exterior wall, next to the portcullis. Next to this cute little detail, all those ghoulish severed heads were once displayed as a warning to the public at large.
Today, visitors can come and climb the tower's four floors past the former storehouses, armoury and prison and then take in the expansive and impressive view over the whole city from the top.
One of only two Pisan towers still standing in the town, this unique building gained its interesting name from the sculpted elephant figure located on the exterior wall, next to the portcullis. Next to this cute little detail, all those ghoulish severed heads were once displayed as a warning to the public at large.
Today, visitors can come and climb the tower's four floors past the former storehouses, armoury and prison and then take in the expansive and impressive view over the whole city from the top.
If you are exploring this truly wonderful city in Sardinia, this is a key spot to stop off and then take it all in, in its rather picturesque glory.
Photo credits
picture 1: Roburq / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Hans Peter Schaefer / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: trolvag / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Roburq / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Hans Peter Schaefer / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: trolvag / CC BY-SA 3.0