In the 16th century, the coastal towns of Sicily were subjected to frequent raids not only by enemies, but also by African corsairs. The Spanish government prudently thought of protecting the coasts with the construction of towers, arranged on the coast so that one could see the other. The men assigned to their custody had the task of warning the nearest city during the night by lighting as many fires as there were enemy ships, or corsairs, seen during the day. The various towers all communicated with each other, so that in less than an hour the warning of impending danger went around the island. These towers, including that of Manfria, in the territory of Terranova, were built starting from 1554, by the viceroy Giovanni Vega, and were dependent on the Deputation of the kingdom. The Sicilian Parliament, in the session held in Palermo on 9 April 1579, approved the financing of the maintenance costs of the towers, as well as the salary of the tower makers, the supply of the necessary weapons and the relative ammunition. On that occasion, the granting of a donation of ten thousand scudi per year was established for this important need and protection of the whole kingdom. In addition to these towers (thirty-seven in all, dependent on the Deputation of the kingdom), others were built by the Senates of the various cities. On the coast of Terranova, the tower of Manfria was erected near the Piano della Fiera, where in past centuries there was a famous city, called by historians Ancira, a very ancient colony of Southern Eraclea (Gela). It has an essential and volumetrically regular architecture and stands out from a square plan, on a parallelepiped base that serves as a graft to a truncated pyramid section, dominated by a closed volume with a gabled roof. Two diagonal cantilever views allowed the tower keepers to lean beyond the walls of the building to better patrol the sea and make signals. The tower of Manfria, also called of Ossuna, from the name of the viceroy Pietro Giron, duke of Ossuna, stands on a hillock on the high coast, not far from the sea. Source: comune.gela.cl.it
The history of the Manfria Tower dates back to the 16th century, during the period of Spanish domination on the island. It was built as part of a coastal defense system to protect the area from pirate raids and to control shipping traffic along the coast. The tower was part of a series of watchtowers that stretched along the Sicilian coast.
Its strategic position on the coast, with a panoramic view of the entire surrounding coast, made it possible to quickly identify any approaching enemy ships or pirates. In case of danger, fires were lit on top of the tower to warn the inhabitants of the surrounding areas of imminent danger.
The Tower of Manfria has undergone several modifications over the centuries. It was initially a square shaped structure with a massive base and thick defensive walls. Over time, renovations and expansions were carried out, adding upper floors and a domed roof.
After the era of pirate invasions, the Tower of Manfria lost its defensive function and was used for different purposes. It has been used as a home for several families over the centuries, until it became an abandoned and ruined building during the 20th century.
In recent years, however, efforts have been made to preserve and restore the Manfria Tower. Today, the tower is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the region. From the top of the tower, you can admire a splendid panorama of the Sicilian coast and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Manfria Tower has also become a symbol of identity for the local community, which has recognized the historical and cultural value of the building. Cultural events and exhibitions have been organized inside the tower to promote its importance and raise public awareness of the historical legacy of the region.
In summary, the story of the Torre di Manfria is a tale of coastal defence, of changes over the centuries and of efforts to preserve and enhance the historical heritage of the region. The tower continues to dominate the Sicilian coast, offering a fascinating snapshot of the region's history and natural beauty.
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