Torre Federiciana

Majestic and elegant, the Torre Federiciana of Leverano rises above the low houses of the historic center since 1200, when Frederick II ordered its construction and even equipped it with a moat.\n\nStanding about 28 meters high, the tower has the shape of a rectangular prism with a square base and was originally structured on four floors. After a long period of neglect, thanks to the tenacity and determination of some Salentine scholars including Cosimo De Giorgi, it was restored in the mid-1800s, saving it from probable collapse.\n\nToday the tower has returned to its original splendor and still preserves the intact spiral staircase that connected the floors up to the ceiling with a cross-ribbed vault, made from alternating white and brown stone blocks. One can also admire the chimneys decorated with acanthus leaves and the architraves with their distinctive Norman-style interlocking carvings.