ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the determination of the constructive details, the geometrical characteristics and material properties of the XVI century watch-tower. In the context the abundancy of historic military masonry structures throughout Europe and particularly along the coasts of the Mediterranean area represents a unique research opportunity. During the 16th century the Mediterranean region witnessed the hegemony of the Turkish rule. With the increasing fear of the population and the inadequacy of the defense system a different military approach was indeed necessary. In a period of struggle over the control of the Mediterranean, the military engineers of the Pontifical States were urged to establish a more reliable and organic defensive system capable of strengthening the warning communication network as well as its firing capacity. The solution was provided by the building of a number of new coastal watchtowers with improved characteristics.
