Military architecture

As Foiso Fois and Gianni Montaldo write in their respective works on coastal towers in Sardinia, published in 1981 and 1992, the defense system of coastal villages represents the response of the Spanish Crown to the problem of barbarian incursions. In fact, the construction of the towers is accompanied by the strengthening of the fleet, for the control of the sea, which also includes military posts along the North African coast.

The initiative dates back to 1502, a period in which the 'Moriscos' expelled from Spain were welcomed by Berber populations dedicated to privateering and piracy, in particular to the slave trade.
The devices designed to defend the coasts were designed on the basis of individual territorial situations and of any older fortifications. There is no shortage of historical precedents: in 1570 Laporelli dealt with the problem in relation to the Papal States, in 1572 Camos proposed a plan for Sardinia, in 1583 Camilliani for Sicily.
After the loss of the Tunis Schooner in 1574, Sardinia was particularly exposed, due to its proximity to the coast of North Africa, which - with favorable winds - was only a day's sail away.

The impetus for the construction of towers and the strengthening of coastal fortresses comes from the incursion that in 1582 caused the looting of some villages (Quartu, Quartucciu and Pirri) very close to Cagliari. The following year, the King of Spain Philip II imposed an export duty, in order to obtain the proceeds for the construction of military coastal defense works. In 1587, the Royal Administration of the Towers was established.

As Gianni Montaldo effectively writes, the institution had the task of designing new towers, taking care of the maintenance of those already built, taking care of the supplies of men, weapons, ammunition, food and so on. The Administration was delegated the task of enlisting the garrisons to control the entire coastal strip.

The Viceroy of the island was in charge of the Administration of the Towers. It was he who appointed the captain ('mayor') and the gunners, soldiers, boatmen and soldiers, who were entrusted with the defense of the single tower. They watched day and night in order to spot and identify each approaching vessel. If it were an enemy, an attempt had to be made to sink it with artillery equipment. Security fires had to be kept constantly burning, for signal fumes. For this reason, the towers had to see each other.
The Royal Administration of the Towers was maintained in efficiency until 1842, when it was suppressed.

Update

17/4/2025 - 08:48