Rome - Torre delle Milizie

The Torre delle Milizie is one of the oldest and strongest fortified towers in Italy and the largest in Rome. It is popularly believed that Augustus is buried under the tower and the Nero watched the burning of Rome from the top. The tower was built by Pope Gregory IX in the 13th century and probably takes its name from a nearby barracks of Byzantine militia. It belonged to a succession of different noble families and played a part in their endless feuds. In 1312 the German king Henry VII used it as his base during his successful attempt to secure his coronation as Emperor in spite of the hostility of the Roman nobility. The tower began sinking on one side soon after its erection, so that Rome, like Pisa, has its leaning tower. From the top of the tower there are magnificent views of central Rome and the ancient remains.