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Origin and history

The Saint John Tower of Morsiglia is one of the thirty-two watch towers built in the 15th century in Cap Corse, a period marked by conflicts between the Caporali and the transfer of sovereignty from Pisa to Genoa. Unlike the usual round towers, those of Morsiglia, like the Saint John Tower, are square and built by local notables. This tower, 16 meters high, specifically protected the hamlet of Pecorile. It is built in shale stones linked to clay, with a terrace supported by mâchicoulis, added later.

In the 15th century, Cap Corse was a strategic region, subjected to barbaric raids and power struggles between local lords and Genoese authorities. Towers such as St. John's served as both a refuge and a surveillance post against enemy incursions, including those of the Saracens. The tower of Saint John, with its three sisters in Pecorile, symbolizes this period of tension and defensive reinforcement.

The tower was listed in the historical monuments inventory on 30 January 1990 for its facades and roof. Today it belongs to a private owner and bears witness to Cap Corse's military and architectural history, where shale constructions and square shapes reflect an adaptation to the local resources and defensive needs of the time.

The hamlet of Pecorile, where the tower stands, was a inhabited and fortified place, with four square towers, some of which have been modified or transformed. The Saint John Tower, although less known than other Corsican monuments, remains a remarkable example of the defensive ingenuity of local communities in the face of external threats.

The broader historical context includes influential families such as Lenci and Gaspari, from Morsiglia, which have marked the economic and political history of the region. The Lenci, in particular, were coral shipowners and merchants, while the Gaspari served as diplomats in the service of Spain. These social and economic dynamics have shaped the development of Morsiglia and its defensive infrastructures.

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