The Linguella Tower in Portoferraio

The Torre del Martello or Torre della Linguella, immediately recognizable at the entrance of Portoferraio's harbor due to its octagonal shape, is a supreme example of military architecture designed to defend the harbor.

Designed by Camerini in 1548 and completed two years later, it features architecture that combines robustness and elegance, with the corners made of local light pink limestone standing out against the red bricks and some white marble finishes.

Built directly on the rocks, its upper structure is noticeably more prominent than the lower part, culminating at the top with massive corbels that delineate the terrace originally used for observation purposes.

Curiosity: In the past, Torre del Martello was connected to Torre del Gallo, on the opposite side of the dock, by a large and heavy chain that blocked entry to the dock for defensive purposes.

In the 17th century, by order of Grand Duke Ferdinando II, the adjacent bastions overlooking the sea and dock were reinforced.

Infoelba recommends: on the bastion of San Francesco, rebuilt after war damage, it is still possible to admire the last "garitta" from the Lorraine era, completely intact and in excellent condition.

Initially used for military purposes, later as salt warehouses, tuna fishing warehouses, and tuna preservation sites, it was transformed into a prison in the 18th century by the Grand Dukes of Lorraine.

After partial destruction due to war, during the 1977 restoration work that brought it back to its original splendor, the remains of an ancient Roman villa were discovered.

Curiosity: Torre del Martello is also known as Torre di Passannante, named after the Lucanian anarchist who, on November 17, 1878, armed with a small knife and completely failing in his attempt, tried to assassinate King Umberto I of Savoy during a visit to Naples. Due to this attack, he was imprisoned for ten years in a cell 1.40 m high, completely dark and without a latrine, chained with an 18-kilo chain. Sailors passing near the tower, hearing his gloomy and constant moans, began calling it the Torre di Passannante.

In 1933, in the Torre della Linguella, Sandro Pertini was also imprisoned while awaiting trial for insulting a prison guard. This was due to events that had occurred the previous year while he was a political detainee in the Pianosa prison as a known antifascist.