Torre delle Milizie

The Torre delle Milizie stands on a square plan, tapering progressively upward. The earthquake in 1348 led the third story to fall to the ground and caused the ground to sink, hence the tilt of the tower. This tower is an important example of medieval civil architecture. It was built in the 13th Century although legend has it that it was from here that Emperor Nero watched the fire of Rome. The powerful Conti di Segni family constructed it, but it changed hands many times, passing to family after family until Pope Boniface VIII inherited it. Currently, the tower stands within the monastery of the Dominicans of Santa Caterina di Magnanapoli. Damage caused by lightning and the 1348 earthquake can still be seen today.