Torre Angioina Travel Guide

The Torre Angioina, a prominent feature of Colletorto, is a striking example of medieval architecture with a rich history. Constructed around 1369 during the reign of Queen Joanna I of Naples, the tower likely stands on the site of a pre-existing Norman structure. Its primary purpose was to protect and repopulate the area after it had been ravaged by the plundering soldiers of Louis of Hungary.The tower, boasting a robust circular design and standing 25 meters tall, dominates the Santa Maria valley and the Fortore valley. Its walls feature corbels and battlements at the top. Inside, multiple floors each contain a fireplace, providing warmth for the troops during the cold winter months. A 'trabucco' was also present, used for disposing of the bodies of soldiers or tortured prisoners.Adjacent to the tower once stood a castle, its ruins later used by Marquis B. Rota to construct the Palazzo Marchesale. Over the centuries, the tower passed through various owners before becoming the property of the D'Antini family, who donated it to the Comune in 1959. Today, the Torre Angioina offers visitors stunning views of the Gargano peninsula, Lake Lesina, the Adriatic Sea, and the Tremiti Islands.