Torre Leon Pancaldo

The Leon Pancaldo Tower, known in Savona as the Torretta, stands beside the old harbour. Its compact medieval form and later religious and civic additions make it a distinctive maritime landmark.

Why it matters

The tower once belonged to the defensive circuit near Porta della Quarda. It survived the destruction of Savona's walls under Genoese control and acquired new meanings as an isolated monument. Its later name honours Leon Pancaldo, a Savonese participant in Magellan's expedition.

What to notice

The square shaft rises from a slightly sloping base. Bands of small Gothic arches and the upper battlements articulate its silhouette. The Genoese coat of arms and a figure of Our Lady of Mercy associated with Filippo Parodi add political and devotional imagery to the former defensive structure.

Context and history

Recorded in 1392, the tower was altered after the destruction of the walls in the sixteenth century. Later changes included a public clock and further remodelling. Its association with the local sailors' organisation added another maritime chapter, linking the medieval harbour defence with modern civic remembrance.