The Tower of Orchinu (Corsican: Torra d'Orchinu) is a ruined Genoese tower located in the commune of Cargèse on the Corsica. It sits at an elevation of 172 metres (564 ft) on the Punta d'Orchinu headland.

Tower of Orchinu
Native name
Torra d'Orchinu (Corsican)
Coordinates42°10′32″N 8°34′36″E / 42.17556°N 8.57667°E / 42.17556; 8.57667
Built1605–1606
ArchitectGiacomo della Piana
Torra d'Orchinu is located in Corsica
Torra d'Orchinu
Location of Tower of Orchinu in Corsica

The tower 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. The Tour d'Orchinu tower was built between 1605 and 1606 under the direction of Giacomo della Piana.[1]

Portions of the headland and the adjacent coastline covering an area of 190 hectares (470 acres) are owned by an agency of the French state, the Conservatoire du littoral.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Graziani, Antoine-Marie (2000). "Les ouvrages de défense en Corse contre les Turcs (1530-1650)". In Vergé-Franceschi, Michel; Graziani, Antoine-Marie (eds.). La guerre de course en Méditerranée (1515-1830) (in French). Paris: Presses de l'Université Paris IV-Sorbonne. pp. 143–144. ISBN 2-84050-167-8.
  2. ^ "Orchinu". Conservatoire du littoral, Ministère de l'écologie, du développement durable et de l'énergie. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
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  • Nivaggioni, Mathieu; Verges, Jean-Marie. "Les Tours Génoises Corses" (in French). Includes information on how to reach 90 towers and many photographs.