Torre della Moletta
Historic site · Ripa, Italy
A medieval tower inside the Circus Maximus archaeological complex, also called Turris in Capite Circi or Turris de Arco and named for a mill driven by the water of the Fosso di San Giovanni. Square in plan, built of small tufa blocks with chips of limestone and flint and irregular brick courses. An internal stair now reaches the upper floor, a viewpoint over the archaeological area.
History
Property of the Frangipane from at least 1145. The tower stood among modest structures and belonged to a system of fortifications demolished in 1943; the ancient masonry was later restored and consolidated. Turismo Roma records that 1930s excavations brought up much of the hemicycle and the remains of the Arco di Tito at this end of the circus, and that investigations concluded in 2016 by Roma Capitale and the Sovrintendenza Capitolina, with technical support from Zetema Progetto Cultura, opened new visitor routes with lighting.
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