Tower of Punta Manara
The Hidden Tower of Punta Manara
On the slopes of Monte Castello, at the southern tip of Punta Manara, stand the silent remains of a tower that seems to guard centuries of history. Its strategic position overlooks a wide stretch of sea, highlighting the site’s importance for coastal control and signaling. In more recent times, the tower served as a telegraph post, continuing its role as an observation point, now equipped with modern instruments.
The Path Leading Into the Past
Reaching the tower is a journey through both nature and history: the trail begins in the historic center of Sestri Levante, along Vico del Bottone, and leads to Punta Manara via the scenic Mandrella area. Along the path, the panorama opens to the sea and surrounding hills, preparing the eyes for the tower remains: a small circular structure, no more than three meters in diameter.
Traces of a Layered Past
The ruins show clear risega traces at the top, suggesting that the original construction was taller than what we see today. Some masonry sections still retain remnants of plaster, evidence of care and modifications over time. It is difficult to determine precisely when the tower was built: the current structure is the result of successive interventions, but it is very likely that a lookout point existed here since pre-Roman times. According to local tradition, together with the towers in the Ginestra area, this post was used to signal nearby landings, forming a network of observation along the coast.
A Memory Suspended Between Myth and History
Today the tower stands silent, partially hidden by vegetation, yet it continues to tell the story of those who built and observed from it. Walking to Punta Manara means traversing layers of history, imagining smoke signals and telegraphs, and sensing how the strategic position of the site has always connected humans to the sea and their vigilance over it.
Sources
Mariotti M., “Dal Tigullio al Bracco. Guida al Parco Naturale Regionale delle Cinque Terre”, Genova, 1996
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