Torre San Michele stands on Cervia's canal harbour, beside Magazzino Torre. Built between 1689 and 1691, it protected the town and salt against attacks from the sea. Today it houses the tourist information office; the panoramic room opens in connection with specific events.
Walls and dedication
Count Michelangelo Maffei, treasurer of Romagna, had already commissioned the Magazzino Torre for salt storage and wanted the stronghold to defend it against sea attacks. The dedication to his patron saint, San Michele Arcangelo, appears in the marble bas-relief above the entrance.
The tower is square, with 13.5-metre sides, a height of 22.5 metres and walls three metres thick. At the top was the gun platform, from which attacks were signalled; the rooms inside also housed the guards.
A canal harbour stop
Proximity to Magazzini del Sale allows defence and production to be understood together. MUSA preserves the story of work, while the tower shows its protection system.
The signposted CerviaSale and CerviaMare routes start from the tower.
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