Monday, May 18, 2020

CAETANI TOWER

TORRE DEI CAETANI
Piazza Fatebenefratelli

Tenth century, erected by the Pierleoni family

It is nicknamed la pulzella (the maiden) for the tiny head in marble of a young girl dating back to the late empire inserted in the brick facing of the Fabricius Bridge

It was part of the CASTLE OF THE TIBERINE ISLAND that had hosted two popes: Victor III (1086/87) for two months with Matilda of Canossa and Urban II (1088/99) for a year, in 1089
At the end of the thirteenth century it became property of the Caetani family who lived here until 1470

After the flood of 1557 that swept the castle, the tower was donated by the Caetani family to the Franciscan fathers
Since 1870 the monastery is an almshouse for Jewish people

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