Guarding the Strait of Bonifacio, the Tower of Longonsardo erases with its imposing presence the idea that coastal Gallura is merely untouched nature.
Erected in the sixteenth century by order of Philip II of Spain to counter the raids of Barbary pirates, this circular fortress dominates the granite spur upon which Santa Teresa Gallura stands, offering a strategic gaze toward the cliffs of Corsica.
The structure impresses with the robustness of its local stone block masonry, designed to withstand artillery fire and the most violent storm surges. The entrance, originally located several meters high for defensive reasons, leads into an interior domed room that once housed the guard corps, ammunition, and a large cistern for rainwater collection. From the upper terrace, where the cannons were positioned, the watchmen continuously monitored every maritime route passing through the strait.
Today the tower has lost its military function but retains its role as a visual and historical landmark for the entire village. Climbing its steps allows visitors to understand the profound bond between the Gallura stone and the sea, in a geographical point where the constant wind and open horizon transform a defensive architecture into an extraordinary panoramic terrace.
