Il Torrione - Forio - Many towers built along Ischia, since the IX century, in order to defend the island against raids of pirates and, later from the XVI century, against Saracens. One of the remaining towers, called "Torrione" still now existing, is located in Forio, nearby the harbor. Built in 1480, the ground floor did not allow access from outside and was used as weapons and munitions storage. The upper floor was the garrison's accommodation (about 10 people) led by a "torriere" that had the task of promptly taking sight of any enemy ship and sounding the alarm. On the top was a terrace provided with four cannons.

Historians notice that many similar towers were built in Forio until the XVIII century, although many of them were used as private residence of noble families. Many of these towers can be observed still now and are mainly private houses.

The "Torrione", after it had been restored, became a municipal Museum on the lower floor, while the upper floor was the house of the artist Giovanni Maltese from Forio and is now an art gallery hosting his pictures and sculptures collection.(Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Ischia)