St. Mark’s Tower

The Tower of Saint Mark, in Trogir

The Tower of Saint Mark is a massive circular tower of the fifteenth century, key element of the Venetian defensive system of Trogir. The Trogir audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this fortification with a truncated cone base, conceived to deflect cannonballs and resist firearms, linked to the Kamerlengo Castle by high walls facing the Ottoman threat that then weighed on the Adriatic.

History

In front of you rises the Tower of Saint Mark, massive and circular. Its appearance is not by chance: it was built in the fifteenth century, at the time when the Republic of Venice dominated Trogir and had to adapt its defences to the new firearms. Look at its flared base: this truncated cone shape served to deflect the cannonballs, and contrary to the medieval square towers, this round geometry reinforced its solidity against the enemy fire. The tower was part of a vaster defensive system, linked to the Kamerlengo Castle by high walls; together, they formed a true rampart against the invasions, in particular facing the Ottoman threat that then weighed on all the Adriatic coast. You imagine the cannons installed here, ready to cross their fire with those of the castle to control each access to the city. Today, the tower no longer shelters soldiers or artillery, but by contemplating it closely, you still perceive the power that it inspired: symbol of the Venetian military ingenuity and of the capacity of Trogir to protect itself in the most troubled times of its history.

What to see

Here you admire a massive circular tower of the fifteenth century, with a truncated cone base conceived to deflect cannonballs and resist firearms; linked to the Kamerlengo Castle by high walls, it formed with it a formidable defensive system facing the Ottoman threat. The Tower of Saint Mark symbolises the Venetian military ingenuity in Trogir. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tower of Saint Mark stands in the north-west of the old town of Trogir, once linked to the Kamerlengo Castle, reachable on foot. It is a monument that you admire from the outside; the interior access follows the conditions in force, which vary. You discover it during a walk.

Why is the Tower of Saint Mark of Trogir round?

Because this circular shape with a truncated cone base, adopted in the fifteenth century by the Venetians, served to deflect the cannonballs and reinforced the solidity of the tower against the new firearms, contrary to the medieval square towers; linked to the Kamerlengo Castle, it formed a formidable defensive system facing the Ottoman threat on the Adriatic.

Where is the Tower of Saint Mark in Trogir?

In the north-west of the old town of Trogir, in Croatia.