What are the purpose of the towers along the coast in southern Italy?

Communication Towers were built along the coast in southern Italy. What was their purpose? Were they the internet of the past? Watch our YouTube video below to find out their purpose and how they helped save the people of their day.

– Ciao
George

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Watchtowers of Southern Italy

Southern Italy has Watchtowers all along the coast line. Watch the video below for the story about these towers:

Title: Italy – Watchtowers in Southern Italy

Countries: Southern Italy

What are Watchtowers? They are towers usually built of stone high enough to be seen by the next tower along the coast. When Saracens (pirates) were spotted, they would light a fire in the tower to warn everyone along the coast. The next tower would see it and light theirs and so on along the entire coastline. You might say this was the Internet of their time. Some towers had a bell as well that was rung to warn locals of the pirates coming.

The locals would gather their families and valuables and head to their sister town usually high up on a hill. These towns were fortified castle like structures that prevented the pirates from entering.

 

Ciao,

George