The Torre di Mezza Praia—located in the Torrevecchia area, not far from the Torre di Laconia—is part of the same network of coastal towers designed to defend the Curinga coastline. It was built around the mid-16th century to monitor a stretch of coast once vulnerable to Saracen raids, utilizing a visual signaling system that allowed communication between towers. It features a circular base with a truncated-cone foundation supporting two cylindrical upper levels, which are marked by horizontal moldings and pierced by several windows. There are no openings on the lower level, nor are there traces of a drawbridge; access to the upper level—located on the landward side—was possible only via a retractable wooden or rope ladder, which the watchmen would lower from above and pull back inside in the event of a corsair attack. Archives also record the names of those responsible for manning the tower, specifically the watchmen Girolamo Costa in 1618 and Domenico La Rocca in 1707. The ruins of the Abbey of Sant’Eufemia stand nearby. Maintenance of the tower and the manning of the watch post were the responsibility of the "State" of Maida, which was in charge of the initial defense of this stretch of coast. 20. Ideal time to visit
Best time to visit
All year round, especially at sunset.
Accessibility
The monument stands a short distance from the sandy coastline, in a cultivated field. There are no significant natural barriers; it can only be viewed from the outside.
Local culture
Over the centuries, the coastal area has undergone profound economic transformations: 13th-century documents attest to the presence of a major tuna fishery right along this stretch of coast—an activity that has since vanished, giving way to a wild beach that is part of the protected Angitola Dunes ecosystem.
Recommended itinerary
Torre Mezza Praia is one of the coastal stops on the "Museo Diffuso" (Distributed Museum) trail. About four kilometers away, you can visit Torre di Lacconia; further inland lie the remains of the Roman Baths, while the historic center of Curinga and the Hermitage of Sant’Elia Vecchio—home to a monumental plane tree—are located in the hills.
