The Torre delle Milizie (“Tower of the Militia”) is a large defensive tower from medieval Rome located next to Trajan's Market. Originally constructed during the 12th century, the structure began as a loggia connected to a palace located right next to it. While the current construction dates to the 13th and 14th centuries, the tower was built upon a Byzantine fortification.
The original height of the tower is unknown, an earthquake destroyed its top two floors in 1348, reducing its height to 50m (165 ft), where the tower stands today. The structure stood on the edge of the medieval city center—Rome’s disabitato or "uninhabited" area—and loomed over the city’s visitors as they entered.
Defensive towers were also a statement of family power and wealth during the medieval period. Originally in the hands of the Frangipani family in 1179, the tower was owned by the Annibaldi family in 1250, and later the Caetani family in 1301. Large structures like the Torre delle Milizie commonly jumped from one family name to another, depending upon the family’s control or wealth.
The Torre delle Milizie is one of the largest medieval structures in Rome and can be viewed from many sites, such as bridges or hills. The tower is also a good reminder that there would have been fortified structures like these scattered throughout the medieval city.