Catalan Tower

Torre Catalano takes its name from the Catalano family who, in the 1960s, bought the castle and the walls from Vincenzo Lazzari di Castro. The Tower is part of the imposing defensive structure erected to protect the Castle and stands on the south-west side of it. Its construction dates to the second half of the 16th century, following the Turkish invasions. The Saracen Empire, in fact, destroyed the city and part of the castle. Therefore, the then viceroy Pietro De Toledo commissioned the Sienese architect Tiburzio Spannocchi to enhance the structure of the Castle. Therefore, the bastion to protect the land gate, Torre Catalano and a fortified hexagonal wall were built.

A document dated 1781 mentions Torre Catalano as "Il Mulino" because the grinding of wheat took place in the tower. This name is still widespread among the local population.