The Trail of Torricino (14th-15th centuries)

The town’s walls were built at the turn of the 14th century and as an adaption to changing defence requirements, towers were constructed along their length. The tower near the Porta del Borgo is a clear example of this: it has a hole for artillery to mow down attackers with grazing fire, is filled with earth and has sloping walls (as far as the ground allows) to withstand bombardment more efficiently. On the staircase which leads to the top, there are two small windows that frame specific locations in the distance. These enabled any sightings to be reported immediately. Today, it is possible to walk up to Piazza San Francesco from the entrance which did not exist in past times.