How to reach
The Tower is located within the Maremma Regional Park, along trail A2 'Le Torri'. The hike is 11.3 km long and leads to the Collelungo Tower. All details are available on the official website.
History
Along the coast of the Maremma Regional Park lies a well-structured coastal watchtower system, mostly made up of square-shaped towers built using local stone. Originally conceived during the medieval period, this defensive network was created to protect the territory from frequent Saracen raids that threatened the Tyrrhenian coastline.
Over the centuries, many of these towers suffered damage from natural events or conflicts. It was only in the second half of the 16th century that the Medici government launched a coordinated program to restore and reinforce the existing towers, along with building new ones. This project, promoted under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, aimed to establish a continuous and effective coastal defense system stretching from Versilia down to southern Maremma.
Collelungo Tower, built between 1587 and 1597, was part of this reorganization plan and was erected to replace the nearby and older Castelmarino Tower, which had been abandoned. Its strategic location on a panoramic hill near the sea provided a wide visual range both inland and out over the horizon, making it an ideal spot for coastal surveillance.
The tower features a classic square plan, with a sloped base (known as a "scarpa," designed to better resist attacks and erosion), and masonry made from local stone of varying sizes—typical of Tuscan 16th-century construction techniques. Originally, it was equipped with an external access ramp, likely made of wood or light masonry, and a terrace roof topped with a pavilion roof supported by pillars, which served as a lookout post.
In 1847, the tower was struck by lightning during a violent storm, causing a collapse of much of the structure and severely damaging the building. It was gradually abandoned in the following years.
More recently, Collelungo Tower has undergone careful restoration, aimed at consolidating its structure and reconstructing some of its original elements using historically accurate techniques and materials. Although the tower is not open to the public, it can be viewed along the trails of the Maremma Regional Park. Today, it stands as a striking example of Medici coastal military architecture.
Its presence in the natural landscape of the Park—surrounded by dunes, Mediterranean scrub, and wild beaches—creates a fascinating blend of history and nature, making it a must-see stop for hikers, photographers, and those interested in the region’s past.