Torre degli Sciri: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 43°06′46″N 12°23′05″E / 43.11265°N 12.38474°E / 43.11265; 12.38474
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| address = Via dei Priori
| address = Via dei Priori
| location_country = Italy
| location_country = Italy
| coordinates =
| coordinates = {{coord|43.11265|12.38474|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IT|display=title}}
| completion_date = XIII th century
| completion_date = XIII th century
| architectural_style = [[Medieval]]
| architectural_style = [[Medieval]]
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| website = https://www.visitaperugia.it/torre-degli-sciri/
| website = https://www.visitaperugia.it/torre-degli-sciri/
}}
}}
The Sciri Tower, also known as the Tower of Scalzi, is a medieval tower dating back to the 13th century, located in [[Perugia]], in the historic district of Porta Santa Susanna, at the beginning of Via dei Priori. It stands as the oldest surviving noble tower and reaches a height of 42 meters.
The '''Torre degli Sciri''' (English: ''Sciri Tower'', or ''Tower of Scalzi''), is a medieval tower dating back to the 13th century, located in [[Perugia]], Italy. It stands in the historic district of Porta Santa Susanna, at the beginning of the Via dei Priori. Reaching a height of 42 meters, it is the last complete such tower remaining in the city.
⚫
[[File:Scale_torre_degli_sciri,_Perugia.jpg|thumb|Inside the tower]]


== History ==
== History<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Torre degli Sciri |url=https://www.visitaperugia.it/torre-degli-sciri/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Visita Perugia... a Priori |language=it-IT}}</ref> ==
Originally, this structure was likely part of an ancient cluster of houses belonging to the noble Oddi clan. Only in the 16th century did it pass to the Sciri family, who lived in the houses below (the Sciri family became extinct in the 17th century). It is possible that the Sciri family took possession of the palace and tower after the defeat and expulsion of the Oddi family from Perugia by the Baglioni in 1488, with the Sciri family among those who supported them.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=|title=Torre degli Sciri |url=https://www.visitaperugia.it/en/the-tower-of-sciri/|access-date=21 October 2023|website=Visita Perugia... a Priori}}</ref> The motivations to build such towers were as defensive fortifications and as expressions of prestige, wealth and power.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://turismo.comune.perugia.it/poi/torre-degli-sciri-the-sciri-tower|title=Torre degli Sciri - The Sciri Tower|publisher=Perugia Council Tourism Office|access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> The Oddi family may have had an additional impetus; they originally owned the castle of Pierle, on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Having been compelled to relinquish Pierle, and having established themselves as part of the ruling elite in Perugia, it is possible that they wanted to replicate in an urban context the appearance of the castle they had surrendered. Pierle Castle retains, although partially collapsed, a very tall tower that could have been the model that inspired the builders of the original tower.
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[[File:Torre_degli_Sciri,_Perugia.jpg|left|thumb|Sciri tower in 2022]]
⚫
On the lintel of the door at the base of the tower, you can observe a heraldic shield with a crest composed of a rooster's leg, representing the emblem of the Sciri family. The shield is flanked by two capital letters, namely an "N" and an "I," which are believed to refer to Nicola Iacobi degli Sciri. Just above, to the right, there is a beautiful panel made of ceramic tiles depicting the Madonna on a throne, with the infant Jesus holding a goldfinch in his left hand. At the base of the votive image, the inscription reads "MATER DIVINÆ GRATIÆ ORA PRO NOBIS" (Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us).


⚫
With the extinction of the Sciri family in the 17th century, the structure, which had passed into the ownership of Caterina della Penna, was donated by her to Sister Lucia Tartaglini of Cortona. In 1680, she founded the conservatory known as Suor Lucia. This institution welcomed orphaned girls of humble origins, willing to live a simple life of prayer and work according to the rule of the Franciscan Third Order.<ref name="auto"/> These nuns were called "becchette" by the people of Perugia, so the tower was also known as the "Tower of the Becchette." The name "Tower of the Scalzi" is derived from the convent of the Discalced Carmelites located in the adjacent church of St. Teresa. Subsequently, the Oblate Sisters of St. Philip Neri took over this conventual building, where they resided until a few years ago.
Originally, this structure was likely part of an ancient cluster of houses belonging to the noble Oddi clan. Only in the 16th century did it pass to the Sciri family, who lived in the houses below (the Sciri family became extinct in the 17th century). It's possible that the Sciri family took possession of the palace and tower after the defeat and expulsion of the Oddi family from Perugia by the Baglioni in 1488 (indeed, the Sciri family was among those who supported the Baglioni). The motivations for families to engage in the construction of a tower were:


⚫
From October 24, 2011, restoration work was carried out on the tower, the church, and a portion of the residential building, resulting in a total of 12 housing units. The renovation of the tower was completed in January 2015.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/news/perugia-sciri-tower-restored-with-european-funds-reopens|title=Perugia, Sciri Tower restored with European funds reopens|publisher=Finestre sull Arte|date=29 August 2020|access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref>
* Military needs.


The tower has been the subject of scientific investigation into the impact of [[earthquake]]s on [[masonry]] towers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Sciri-Tower-picture-of-the-tower-and-the-surrounding-buildings-a-East-front-b_fig1_338373683|first=Llaria|last=Venanzi|title=Earthquake-induced damage localization in an historic masonry tower through long-term dynamic monitoring and FE model calibration|publisher=Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering|date=March 2020|access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141029619330093|first1=Enrique|last1=García-Macías|first2=Filippo|last2= Ubertini|title=Automated operational modal analysis and ambient noise deconvolution interferometry for the full structural identification of historic towers: A case study of the Sciri Tower in Perugia, Italy|journal=Engineering Structures|date=15 July 2020|volume=215 |doi=10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110615 |bibcode=2020EngSt.21510615G |s2cid=218961880 |access-date=21 October 2023|hdl=10481/88398|hdl-access=free}}</ref>
* The desire to display a symbol of prestige and power.


==Architecture and description==
However, in the case of the Oddi family, there may have been another purpose. It should be noted that they owned the castle of Pierle in 1225, at the border between Umbria and Tuscany. It seems that they sold it to the municipality of Cortona in 1230, after which the Oddi family became an integral and prestigious part of the ruling elite in Perugia. It's possible that they wanted to somehow replicate in an urban context the appearance of the castle they likely had to give up to the Tuscan municipality against their will. In fact, in the northwest corner of the Pierle castle, there still stands, although partially collapsed, a very tall tower that could have been the model that inspired the builders of the ancient "Oddi Tower."
⚫
The tower stands 46 meters high and is constructed of [[limestone]] blocks. It is the only complete such tower remaining in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/esteri/fondi-strutturali-europei-progetti-italia/2020/08/27/news/torre_degli_sciri-265553753/?callback=in&code=Y2JJM2E0ZWMTNDRKMC0ZNTK3LTHIMWYTYJNKMWI1ZGQ3MTY4&state=6207a3ebba5246e5ac99a0b4b67af864|first=Sara|last=Ficocelli|title=Torre degli Sciri, torna a splendere il gioiello del centro storico di Perugia|publisher=[[la Repubblica]]|date=27 August 2020|access-date=21 October 2023|language=it-IT}}</ref> There are thought to have been around 50 such towers in the city at the height of its mediaeval importance.<ref name="auto2"/> On the lintel of the door at the base of the tower, there is a heraldic shield with a crest composed of a rooster's leg, representing the emblem of the Sciri family.<ref name="auto2"/> The shield is flanked by two capital letters, namely an "N" and an "I," which are believed to refer to Nicola Iacobi degli Sciri. Just above, to the right, there is a panel made of ceramic tiles depicting the Madonna on a throne, with the infant Jesus holding a goldfinch in his left hand. At the base of the votive image, the inscription reads "MATER DIVINÆ GRATIÆ ORA PRO NOBIS" (Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us).<ref name="auto1"/>


==Gallery==
⚫
With the extinction of the Sciri family in the 17th century, the structure, which had passed into the ownership of Caterina della Penna, was donated by her to Sister Lucia Tartaglini of Cortona. In 1680, she founded the Conservatory known as Suor Lucia. This institution welcomed orphaned girls of humble origins, willing to live a simple life of prayer and work according to the rule of the Franciscan Third Order. These nuns were called "becchette" by the people of Perugia, so the tower was also known as the "Tower of the Becchette." The name "Tower of the Scalzi" is derived from the convent of the Discalced Carmelites located in the adjacent church of St. Teresa. Subsequently, the Oblate Sisters of St. Philip Neri took over this conventual building, where they resided until a few years ago.
<gallery mode="nolines">

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File:Torre_degli_Sciri,_Perugia.jpg|Sciri tower in 2022
⚫
From October 24, 2011, restoration work was carried out on the tower, the church, and a portion of the residential building, resulting in a total of 12 housing units. The renovation of the tower was completed on January 20, 2015, and it was inaugurated on January 28.<gallery mode="nolines">
⚫
File:Scale_torre_degli_sciri,_Perugia.jpg|Inside the tower
File:Torre_degli_Sciri_2.JPG|alt=
File:Torre_degli_Sciri_2.JPG|alt=
File:Torre_degli_Sciri_-_Perugia.jpg|alt=
File:Torre_degli_Sciri_-_Perugia.jpg|alt=
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File:Torre_degli_Sciri_(2).jpg|alt=
File:Torre_degli_Sciri_(2).jpg|alt=
File:Via_dei_Priori_con_vista_torre_degli_sciri,_2023.jpg|alt=
File:Via_dei_Priori_con_vista_torre_degli_sciri,_2023.jpg|alt=
</gallery>
</gallery>[[:Category:Towers in Italy]] [[:Category:Buildings and structures in Perugia]] {{Drafts moved from mainspace|date=October 2023}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Towers in Italy]]
{{Uncategorized|date=October 2023}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Perugia]]

Latest revision as of 05:49, 15 April 2024

Sciri tower
Torre degli Sciri
Map
Alternative namesTorre degli Scalzi
General information
Architectural styleMedieval
LocationPerugia
AddressVia dei Priori
CountryItaly
Coordinates43°06′46″N 12°23′05″E / 43.11265°N 12.38474°E / 43.11265; 12.38474
CompletedXIII th century
Height42 m
Website
https://www.visitaperugia.it/torre-degli-sciri/

The Torre degli Sciri (English: Sciri Tower, or Tower of Scalzi), is a medieval tower dating back to the 13th century, located in Perugia, Italy. It stands in the historic district of Porta Santa Susanna, at the beginning of the Via dei Priori. Reaching a height of 42 meters, it is the last complete such tower remaining in the city.

History[edit]

Originally, this structure was likely part of an ancient cluster of houses belonging to the noble Oddi clan. Only in the 16th century did it pass to the Sciri family, who lived in the houses below (the Sciri family became extinct in the 17th century). It is possible that the Sciri family took possession of the palace and tower after the defeat and expulsion of the Oddi family from Perugia by the Baglioni in 1488, with the Sciri family among those who supported them.[1] The motivations to build such towers were as defensive fortifications and as expressions of prestige, wealth and power.[2] The Oddi family may have had an additional impetus; they originally owned the castle of Pierle, on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Having been compelled to relinquish Pierle, and having established themselves as part of the ruling elite in Perugia, it is possible that they wanted to replicate in an urban context the appearance of the castle they had surrendered. Pierle Castle retains, although partially collapsed, a very tall tower that could have been the model that inspired the builders of the original tower.

With the extinction of the Sciri family in the 17th century, the structure, which had passed into the ownership of Caterina della Penna, was donated by her to Sister Lucia Tartaglini of Cortona. In 1680, she founded the conservatory known as Suor Lucia. This institution welcomed orphaned girls of humble origins, willing to live a simple life of prayer and work according to the rule of the Franciscan Third Order.[2] These nuns were called "becchette" by the people of Perugia, so the tower was also known as the "Tower of the Becchette." The name "Tower of the Scalzi" is derived from the convent of the Discalced Carmelites located in the adjacent church of St. Teresa. Subsequently, the Oblate Sisters of St. Philip Neri took over this conventual building, where they resided until a few years ago.

From October 24, 2011, restoration work was carried out on the tower, the church, and a portion of the residential building, resulting in a total of 12 housing units. The renovation of the tower was completed in January 2015.[3]

The tower has been the subject of scientific investigation into the impact of earthquakes on masonry towers.[4][5]

Architecture and description[edit]

The tower stands 46 meters high and is constructed of limestone blocks. It is the only complete such tower remaining in the city.[6] There are thought to have been around 50 such towers in the city at the height of its mediaeval importance.[1] On the lintel of the door at the base of the tower, there is a heraldic shield with a crest composed of a rooster's leg, representing the emblem of the Sciri family.[1] The shield is flanked by two capital letters, namely an "N" and an "I," which are believed to refer to Nicola Iacobi degli Sciri. Just above, to the right, there is a panel made of ceramic tiles depicting the Madonna on a throne, with the infant Jesus holding a goldfinch in his left hand. At the base of the votive image, the inscription reads "MATER DIVINÆ GRATIÆ ORA PRO NOBIS" (Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us).[3]

Gallery[edit]

  • Sciri tower in 2022
    Sciri tower in 2022
  • Inside the tower
    Inside the tower

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Torre degli Sciri". Visita Perugia... a Priori. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Torre degli Sciri - The Sciri Tower". Perugia Council Tourism Office. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Perugia, Sciri Tower restored with European funds reopens". Finestre sull Arte. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  4. ^ Venanzi, Llaria (March 2020). "Earthquake-induced damage localization in an historic masonry tower through long-term dynamic monitoring and FE model calibration". Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. ^ García-Macías, Enrique; Ubertini, Filippo (15 July 2020). "Automated operational modal analysis and ambient noise deconvolution interferometry for the full structural identification of historic towers: A case study of the Sciri Tower in Perugia, Italy". Engineering Structures. 215. Bibcode:2020EngSt.21510615G. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110615. hdl:10481/88398. S2CID 218961880. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  6. ^ Ficocelli, Sara (27 August 2020). "Torre degli Sciri, torna a splendere il gioiello del centro storico di Perugia" (in Italian). la Repubblica. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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