Santo Stefano al Mare: the fascinating history of the "Torre degli Aregai", built by Giovanni Maria Caravisio

From Aregai a fire was lit, that was seen by the Gallinara, which in turn sent the signal to the Tower of Prarola and, from the latter, one could see the towers of San Lorenzo and Porto Maurizio. 

The Tower was built in 1565 by the master Giovanni Maria Caravisio and had a function of observation and defense against barbarian invasions. 

The Torre degli Aregai was important because it presided over a "uncovered" area that easily offered its side to the landings of the Saracens, who in fact landed several times in the nearby Aregai beach.

This name derives from "drowned" because the currents, beyond the barbarian vessels, brought to the shore in this beach also the corpses of the drowned.

[Credit iha.it]

According to legend, for the local community, the tower, beyond its defensive function, was considered a miraculous talisman, able to keep away the evil eye and the forces of evil.