Saracen Tower
The Saracen Tower is located along the east coast of Giglio Island in the heart of Giglio Porto. The tower originally belonged to the Tre Fontane Abbey in Rome in the Middle Ages before falling into the hands of the Aldobrandeschi family, who took control of the entire island in the 12th century. In the centuries following the Aldobrandeschi, the tower suffered numerous pirate attacks, many of which severely damaged the structure, despite the heavy external barbican and other defensive elements.
Incidentally, the Saracen Tower is actually named after the pirate fleet of Saracens, who during one of their violent raids inflicted some of the most serious damage on the tower. When Italy was unified, the tower was abandoned and today it is somewhat deteriorated.
You can still walk around it and admire the stone blocks, terrace, and parapet, but you can't go inside. Along the outer walls are several square windows used for surveillance, firing, and storage of gunboats.
The tower itself is also a great place to admire the sea and the surrounding bay, especially during the day when boats sail to and from the island.
