The Candlestick Tower and Sienese Fort - Massa Marittima - Le colline metallifere

Address

piazza Matteotti - Massa Marittima

Museum

La Torre del Candeliere, or The Candlestick Tower, is a monument belonging to the Massa Marittima Museum System. Erected in 1228, it served as both a watchtower and a symbol of the independence of the town of Massa Marittima, which had at that time just liberated itself from the dominion of the Bishop-Prince. The tower was originally a third higher, but was reconstructed by Siena at the end of a war that won it control of the area of Massa. Another initiative of Siena was the construction of the majestic arch connecting the tower to the Cassero Senese, or Sienese Fort, built in the centre of the city in order to maintain control over of the local ‘Massetani’ people, still rebellious and ready to rise up against the new authority. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, a bell was placed on the tower, replaced in 1760 by the current one, while in 1443, a clock was placed on the east side, whose mechanism is visible from the inside of the tower. Visiting the tower allows you to walk over the great arch and along part of the walls of the Fort, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and out and across to the sea and the island of Elba. Guided tours are available.

Activities

Guided tours A visit to the Torre del Candeliere is included in the module of educational activities provided by the Colline Metallifere Cooperative, which runs the Massa Marittima museums, for local schools (consult the programme on the website www.coopcollinemetallifere.it). For information contact the Archaeological Museum on 0566/902289

Bookshop

Yes

Accessibility disabled

Not accessible

Schedule

April - 14 July, September - October: 10.00-13.00, 15.00-18.00; April - September: Saturday and Sunday all day, 10.30-18.00; 15 July - 31 August: 10.30-13.30, 16.00-19.00; November - March: 11.00-13.00, 14.30-16.30

Price

€ 3.00 full; € 2.00 reduced and groups; Combined ticket for all the Massa Marittima Museums and the Torre del Candeliere: € 15.00 full; € 10.00 reduced; € 6.00 combined ticket for the Museum of Sacred Art and the Torre del Candeliere