The Saracen Tower in Piraino

The Saracen Tower in Piraino was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries with the aim of being a watchtower to protect the territory given its strategic location. In fact, from its terrace it is possible to gaze out over the coast as well as from Capo d'Orlando it comes up to Chief Cavalà, which towards the hinterland which includes the valley formed by the Sant'Angelo stream. Today, the refurbished tower is used as a location for cultural events.

History of the Saracen Tower in Piraino

The Saracen Tower of Piraino had a defensive purpose thanks to its location which allowed to control a large stretch of coast and the valley behind it.
Its construction does not have a confirmed and documented date but it is assumed that the construction may have taken place between tenth and twelfth centuries.

Also known by the name of Torrazza, it dominates the historic center of Piraino and was also used to control maritime traffic on the coast as well as to receive and send signals from various places in the neighboring area.

What is documented is that in the sixteenth century its intended use was changed and the tower was used as a prison.
Only at the end of the seventies of the last century, the Saracen Tower of Piraino was duly restored.

Despite the name by which it is known, the theory that states that it was the Saracens the authors of its construction. Sixteen meters high, the tower consists of three levels as well as the terrace which are connected by an internal staircase.

Architecture and any works of art present in the Torre Saracena in Piraino

The Saracen Tower of Piraino was built with sandstone and has an evident crenellation at the top. The circular plan serves as a base for the three levels from which the tower is built as well as a terminal terrace.

The main entrance is located halfway up the building and can be reached via an iron staircase which is attached to the outside of the building.
The various rooms, on the other hand, are connected to each other thanks to an internal staircase that reaches up to the panoramic terrace which ranges for all 360 degrees allowing you to see both the coast and the hinterland, reaching as far as the Nebrodi Mountains and Etna.
Lo architectural style is kept to a minimum and the tower appears powerful and severe, leaving no room for superfluous embellishments.

What you can do around the Saracen Tower in Piraino

The tourist who visits the Saracen Tower in Piraino cannot avoid exploring the Sicilian town which, following the narration belonging to the tradition, takes its name from a cyclops who lived on this hill, Piracmone. Legend has it that it was he who built the first inhabited nucleus around 827 BC
Setting aside the legends and relying on objectively verified evidence, we can say that Piraino was already mentioned in the era of the Greek domination in Sicily and, consequently, towards the sixth century BC

Obviously the locality saw the same dominations that touched the island and therefore, Roman, Barbarian, Byzantine, Saracen, Norman etc.
Piraino, in addition to the Saracen Tower, also has other attractions that deserve attention such as, for example, the Torre delle Ciavole which is located in the hamlet of Gliaca right on the coast. Built in the XNUMXth century as a further implementation of the already present watchtowers, it was finished in the following century. It owes its name to the many species of birds that have chosen it as their home – birds in dialect are called Ciàule – but it cannot be visited internally because it is unusable due to marine erosion which has undermined its stability.

The viewpoint called La Guardiola and located on the coast is also an interesting destination from which to admire the Aeolian Islands, Gioiosa Marina and Capo d'Orlando. At the time it was also a place that housed a defensive cannon which was later used only for celebration purposes.
The ancient house of the Denti dukes also deserves a visit because the Palazzo Ducale also served as the seat of the government and the court during the feudal period. It was abandoned by the dukes at the beginning of the XNUMXth century with the entry into force of the Sicilian Constitution which provided for the abolition of fiefdoms.

Finally, the sixteenth century Mother Church and seat of the Archpriest and it also includes underground areas where mummies of monks are found.

Il Sanctuary of Santa Caterina it preserves the statue of the SS Ecce Homo which, every Good Friday, is carried in procession through the streets of Piraino.
Nature lovers can delight in the municipal pine forest which is located a couple of km from the centre. It is a well-organized extensive park of 14 hectares where there is also an area used for picnics.

How is it possible to get to the Saracen Tower in Piraino

By car:
Take the A20/E90 in the direction of Strada Statale 113/SS113 in Brolo and exit at Brolo-Capo d'Orlando Est. Continue on the SS113 and take via Torre delle Ciavole in the direction of via della Mura a Piraino and then follow the road signs.