Torra di a Parata

The Torra di a Parata (English: Parata Tower, French: Tour de Parata) is a ruined Genoese tower located in the commune of Ajaccio, Corse-du-Sud, on the west coast of the island of Corsica, France. The tower sits at an elevation of 55 metres (180 ft) on a rocky promontory, the Pointe de la Parata, to the north-east of the Îles Sanguinaires archipelago.

Quick Facts Parata Tower, Coordinates ...

Parata Tower
Native name Torra di a Parata (Corsican)
Coordinates	41°53′43″N 8°36′30″E
Built	1550-1551
Architect	Giacomo Lombardo
Location of Parata Tower in Corsica

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The tower was built in 1550–1551 by Giacomo Lombardo. It was one of a series of coastal defences constructed by the Republic of Genoa between 1530 and 1620 to stem the attacks by Barbary pirates.^[1] The tower is 12 m (39 ft) in height and has a diameter of 7.3 m (24 ft) at the level of the roof platform. It contains two vaulted rooms, one above the other.^[2]

In Genoese documents the tower is called the Sanguinera di Terra. A similar tower which once sat on the highest point of the Grande Sanguinaire island was called the Sanguinera di Fuori or the Sanguinera di Mare.^[3] The Grande Sanguinaire tower was demolished in the 19th century when the existing lighthouse was constructed.^[4] A second small tower at the south-west end of the Grande Sanguinaire island has survived. In a Genoese document it is referred to as the torretta piccola (little tower). It is now called the Torra di Castelluchju.^[5]