The Civic Tower and Prison

The construction of the Civic Tower dates back to the 13th century, when the municipal institutions of Montone became aware of their role. The large tower, approximately 25 metres high, is flanked by steps leading down from Via S. Francesco. On the lowest floor, overlooking the square, a small door leads into a room with a dome-shaped barrel vaulted ceiling; this room was used as a prison for several centuries, until the administration of justice was regulated by medieval municipal statutes and subsequent amendments, which remained in force until 1860. Traces of the prison are still visible inside.

The upper level houses a room with a square-based dome with barrel vault which, from its origins until the 1980s, housed the municipal archives. Climbing further up, we find a very high room where the clock’s motor weights used to run, with the clock mechanism in the smaller room below. The bell is located in a cell consisting of five brick columns arranged on a trapezoidal plan. The clock was already present in the 16th century and in 1551, the “offiziali”(officials) of the municipality included a “moderator horologii” (horologist) who received an annual salary of 1.5 florins.

The bell which still exists, dates back to 1770 and was cast by Giovanni Battista dell’Aquila. It is decorated with images of the Crucifix, St Roch (S. Rocco),the Virgin Mary and the municipal coat of arms. The ‘campanone’ as it is known by the people of Montone, marks the hours and announced community meetings and councils from the 13th century until the 1970s, when the last tower keeper retired.

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