Hotels 
Apartments 
Residences 
Villas 
Farmhouse 
Bed&Breakfast 
Camping sites 
Agencies 
Campo nell'Elba 
Rio 
Capoliveri 
Marciana 
Portoferraio 
Porto Azzurro 
Marciana Marina 
Island of Elba Linguella Tower
The Linguella Tower, also known as
Martello Tower, is prominently displayed at the
entrance to the port of Portoferraio and can be admired from the
ferry when you enter the dock.
The fortified structure of the tower was built in the early 16th
century on the spot where stood the remains of an ancient Roman
Villa. It owes its creation to Medici, who would
in the Tower, one more defensive structure to protect the port of
Portoferraio. The coastal Tower has an octagonal plan, with a
crease articulated in the lower part bordering the below base,
which on six of the eight sides rests directly on the rocky
strand of the sea.
The top of the Linguella Tower has a greater overhang than the
bottom, where on the summit ends with some mighty brackets that
surround the terrace originally used for sighting. The walls
of the tower is entirely covered with red bricks with some
finishing touches of white marble and with traces of stone
curtain walls that are at the north-western corner of the tower,
going to delimit externally a bastion structure with shoe base,
which previously gave it an additional element of security to the
entire complex.
The Navy installed a lighthouse
on the western corner of walls of the tower for the night
lighting of the port area of Portoferraio.
This supreme example
of military architecture to defend the port of Portoferraio was
designed by Giovanni Camerini in 1548. In the
past the Linguella Tower, was linked to the Gallo Tower from a
big chain, which prevented for defensive purposes the entrance
into the dock of Portoferraio.
In the 17th century, Grand Duke
Ferdinando II, did reinforce the ramparts overlooking the sea.
The bastion of St. Francis and the sentry box on which stands the
cross of Lorena was rebuilt after the war devastation.
In past the tower has had multiple uses, from warfare for which
was built a salt warehouse, a place for the conservation of
tunas, was transformed in the 16th century a prison by
Grand Dukes of Lorena. Among the most renowned
figures who have been imprisoned in the tower we remember the
anarchist Giovanni Passannante the bomber of
King Umberto I and in 1933 for a short period the antifascist
Sandro Pertini, awaiting trial for insulting a
prison guard.
After a period of deterioration and its partial destruction due
to the second world war, in 1977 the tower has been restored to
its former glory, where during the restoration, were brought to
light the remains of the ancient Linguella Roman Villa.
Information about Linguella Tower
Informazioni per visitare la Torre della Linguella
| Orari |
dal 2 Aprile al 12 Giugno e dal 14 Settembre al 2 Novembre 10:00-13:00/-15:30-19:00 dal 13 Giungo al 13 Settembre 9.30-13:30/17:30-24:00 |
| Prezzi |
Ingresso gratuito |
| Luogo e indicazioni stradali |
Calata Buccari a Portoferraio |
Museo Archeologico della Linguella
The Linguella Civic and Archeological Museum is located inside the Medici Fortress of Linguella in Portoferraio.
Linguella villa
Remains of an ancient Roman villa stood between the I century BC and the III century AD at the entrance to the port of Portoferraio.
The Martello and Passannante Tower
The anarchist Giovanni Passannante was locked inside the Linguella Tower, also known as Martello Tower.
De’ Medici fortresses
Wanted by Cosimo I de Medici, embracing the entire city of Portoferraio with its bastions.
Fort Falcone
Impressive De’ Medici fortification that dominates the historic
center of Portoferraio.
Fort Stella
With star-shaped plant, it is located above the ancient city of
Portoferraio and is one of three main structures of De’ Medici
fortresses.
Elbaworld suggests
What to visit
Discover places and attractions nearby.
Recommended excursions
Discover incredibly beautiful excursions on Elba Island.
