Overview:

: St. Martha's Tower is a Baroque-style watchtower located in the Vatican City. The tower is the highest structure within the Vatican City's walls and was built in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. The tower is believed to be named after St. Martha of Bethany, one of Jesus' disciples. It offers stunning views of Rome, including the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

St. Martha’s Tower is a tower located in Vatican City, part of the complex of buildings known as the Apostolic Palace. The square-shaped, four-story tower is located next to the Vatican Museums and was built in 1642-1643. The designer was Giovanni Antonio Dosio. The ground floor of the Tower was the entrance to the pope’s apartments and still contains a small store for delicacies that was used by Pope Alexander VII. The tower is topped by a pillared loggia, with the pope’s seal above the door and a bronze sculpture of Saint Martha fighting a dragon at the top. On the sides of the tower are two other bronze sculptures. The one on the right hand side represents Archangel Michael fighting a dragon, and the one on the left hand side is of the Archangel Raphael fighting a demon. The Tower is named after Saint Martha, who was mentioned in the Bible’s Gospel of Luke. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The St. Martha Tower in Vatican City was built in the 1300s and originally served as an entry point into the Vatican. Originally, the tower was part of the Leonine Wall which was constructed to protect the city from invading forces. The tower was named after St. Martha of Bethany, the patron saint of hospitality. The tower has served a number of purposes over its history. It was originally used as a defensive tower during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. It was then converted into an observatory in the seventeenth century, before being used as a bell tower for the chapel of St. Peter in the eighteenth century. Later, the tower was converted into a prison and even a barrack for Swiss Guards. In more recent times, the tower has become a popular tourist destination. It was refurbished and, in 2002, opened to the public as an observation deck. It now offers visitors a stunning view of St. Peter's Square and the Vatican City. The tower also plays an important role in the variety of events and celebrations held in Vatican City. During the Jubilee of Mercy, for example, a large etching of St. Peter's Basilica was projected onto the tower's walls. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. Martha’s Tower was constructed in the 16th century by Pope Paul III and is one of the few remaining visible structures of the Vatican Palace. 2. The building is so high that it was once used as a signal tower by the Roman army and was visible from Rome proper. 3. The tower is named after St. Martha of Bethany, an important figure in the Gospel of Luke. 4. It is thought to have been used as a military lookout point by the Pope. 5. Inside the tower, there is a frescoed chapel with a wooden altar dedicated to St. Martha of Bethany. 6. The tower can be reached by going up a spiral staircase of 144 steps and is open to the public during certain parts of the year. 7. St. Martha’s Tower is one of the few surviving traces of the original Vatican Palace, with a history stretching back more than 1000 years. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.