Torre Medicea

The cylindrical Medici Tower is the defining medieval landmark of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, rebuilt after its collapse in the 2009 earthquake.

Why it matters

The tower anchors the village's historic layout and recalls the period when Santo Stefano belonged to the Baronia di Carapelle. Its careful reconstruction also became an important example of conserving a damaged historic structure with recovered original material.

What to notice

The cylindrical stone tower has an elevated entrance, narrow openings and a crown of Ghibelline merlons. Corbels and machicolations project from the upper section. The reconstruction reused original stones and retained the tower's historic proportions.

Context and history

A watchtower is documented here by the fourteenth century, although it may be older. The settlement grew around it in the fifteenth century. The Baronia di Carapelle passed to Francesco I de' Medici in 1579, giving the tower its familiar name. The 2009 earthquake almost completely destroyed it; reconstruction was completed in 2021.