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Origin and history

The Capo-Nero tower, also known as the Capu-Neru tower, is a Genoese building located on the eponymous cape in Coti-Chiavari, Corsica. Built between 1580 and 1617, it belonged to the jurisdiction of Ajaccio and depended on the Camera, a Genoese administrative institution. Round in shape, it follows the classic model of the coastal towers: blind base, vaulted floor illuminated by a bay, equipped with a fireplace, a well leading to a tank, and two niches. A staircase in masonry, protected by a heal, led to a terrace crenellated with mâchicoulis. Originally defended by a tower chief and two soldiers, his custody was entrusted to an individual at the end of the seventeenth century.

The tower remained in service until the early 18th century, before probably being abandoned during the Corsican revolutions. Since 1857, she has been in the service of lighthouses and beacons. Its architecture reflects a dual function: coastal surveillance against invasions and maritime signage. The materials used, granite bellows, and its robust structure demonstrate its strategic role in the Genoese defensive system in the Mediterranean. It was listed in the Historical Monuments Inventory by order of 22 April 1994.

The observation post of Capu Neru is also listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage by the Territorial Community of Corsica. Its current state and its approximate location (map detail noted 5/10) highlight the challenges of preserving Genoese towers, symbols of the military and architectural heritage of Corsica under the Republic of Genoa. No information is available on its accessibility to the public or on possible tourism reuse.

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