The Ionian coast of Catania offers unique, evocative landscapes. Have you ever glimpsed among the lava rocks, castles, towers, fortresses e sentry boxes? Today we introduce you to the sentry box of Scalo Pennisi of Santa Tecla, a fraction of the ancient Aquilia, today's Acireale, which still has a lot to tell us about our history.
The Spanish sentry boxes
These are very common constructions in the medieval and modern ages. lookout tower It was built to protect a sentry and allow him to defend the area, as well as offering him a wide view of the horizon. In some cases, it was equipped with slits that allowed a crossbowman to shoot the enemy while remaining behind cover. During the Spanish domination, especially along the Sicilian coast, sentry boxes were built in abundance; today there are over two hundred of them. They constituted the defensive, sighting and communication system along the entire coastal strip of the Kingdom of Sicily. The various stations communicated with each other thanks to light signals, called fani, and smoke signals. Many of these constructions are a historical and cultural heritage substantially unknown to the public, fascinated by the a combination of history, chronicles, legends and mythOne of the most beautiful sentry boxes is located in Saint Thecla.
Santa Tecla
Santa Tecla It is a small seaside village, near Acireale, within the wonderful Lemon Riviera or Cyclops Riviera, to which they also belong Aci Castello e Aci Trezza. Surmounted by the majestic Timpa, the hamlet extends along the Ionian Sea, on a compact and jagged cliff of volcanic rock, which gives life to the Gulf of Santa Tecla, reported in ancient maps as “Sinus S. Theclae“It is surrounded by citrus groves, shrubs and plants typical of the Mediterranean scrub, olive and almond trees.
For several years, the village has been livened up with bars, beaches, and events to attract more and more tourists. In August, the feast of the patron saint takes place, with a spectacular procession of illuminated boats on the sea and a fireworks display. Other sporting and cultural events are also held, including the national television award “Silver Garit”. Santa Tecla is linked to the various villages of Santa Maria La Scala, Capomulini, Stazzo, Pozzillo, all very characteristic, inhabited by fishermen, with ancient traditions waiting to be discovered.
Calm and serenity characterize this place, which envelops you with its bright colors, the scents of oranges, lemons, mandarins, cedars, typical of the Mediterranean garden.
The Beaches of Santa Tecla
The small beaches found in Santa Tecla, like those in the surrounding area, are influenced by their nature and conformation, proximity to the Etna volcanoSome studies have highlighted the presence of a series of active faults. The black and jagged volcanic rocky coast This makes the site particularly attractive for lovers of rocks smoothed by the sea. The water is crystal clear and a clear blue, despite the dark seabed. This coastline is characterized by coves that make the waters cool and feature underground springs. The place is particularly popular with those who love and practice snorkeling, along with other water sports. For years, some beaches have been equipped with lidos that enliven the hot Sicilian summers, day and night. Numerous hotels, B&Bs, trattorias serving seafood specialties, and clubs scattered throughout the area ensure vacationers have plenty of fun.
The sentry box
That of Santa Tecla is one of the many coastal towers present in Sicily, evidence of a functioning defensive system developed between 1500 and 1600 by the Spanish rulers, first of all, the viceroy of Charles V, Ferdinand de VegaThese buildings stood a short distance from each other, and were in constant communication with each other. The main function of this sentry box was that of watchtowers and defense towers coastal against the raids of the Saracens. It was built around the late sixteenth century, on a rock near the Pennisi Port, known as Apa rock, using lava rocks bound with mortar and fragments of tiles and shards. It is a small square tower, 3 meters on each side and approximately 6 meters high. The roof is pyramidal with a ribbed vault, topped by a basalt sphere and decorated with four merlons at the corners. Note the presence of reddish plaster on the roof and two small windows in the northern section. The interior is bare (learn more by clicking here).
The bloody one pirate Luccialì, according to the chronicles of the time, landed there on May 3, 1582 in command of seven galleys and three hundred pirates, conquering the building and penetrating the area.
Towers, sentry boxes, and other buildings along the Catania coast
The Catania area is characterized by a large number of towers and sentry boxes. Let us remember: Trezza Tower e Faraglione Tower ad Aci Castello, those of Chief Mills, also known as Tower of St. Anna, Alessandrano Tower, Black Tower or Pozzillo, in reference to the Acese territory. Archirafi Tower, located in the municipality of Riposto, also gives the toponym to the village; it was built first by King Martin and renovated in 1700. In the Riposto area there is also the Laviefuille Tower e Malo Grado Tower, which falls more precisely in the territory of Mascali, which once housed its own tower, and finally the Tower of Giarre. These are some of the most important ones.
The sentry boxes in Catania
In Catania, this building is called 'A Jarita. Examples very similar to that of Santa Tecla are also found in the city of Etna with the sentry box in Piazza Europa And that of Ognina. The first one stands on a rocky outcrop created by the eruption of 1381. It was built as a watchtower between 1552 and 1574 under the reign of Charles V. The second is located on the Ognina seafront, near the current tourist port. It is probably connected to the tower behind the Ognina church.
Scattered throughout the rest of the city, in some of its central monuments, there are other sentry boxes. We recall the one in Castello Ursino, built to shelter the soldiers, inside the moat and that of the bell tower of the cathedral, collapsed following the devastating earthquake that destroyed a large part of the building.
Historic architectural heritage asset to be preserved and enhanced
Often abandoned, these buildings have not enjoyed or continue to enjoy any consideration. Their potential as a tourist attraction has not been fully understood. The sentry boxes are often places of abandonment, filth, and shelter for homeless people. Their great historical value has been violated. historical heritage asset.
These real "sentinels of the sea"they have not been valorised even following the construction works of the new Borghetto Europa or within successful events such as the Promenade freed, which has now become Lungomare festWe hope that some association will take charge of this mission of protection and valorization of these forgotten buildings, yet steeped in history and stories.
Cover photo: https://it.wikipedia.org. Author: LuckyLisp
