The Tower of Chia can be found in the town of the same name, in the municipality of Domus de Maria.
It stands on a gentle promontory, inside the Punic-Roman archaeological area of Bithia.
It was built in the XVI century with the aim of defending the outlet of the Rio di Chia, an area greatly exposed to pirate landings which could rely on the large beaches in the area, ideal for stocking up on water.
Despite the height of the promontory, no other areas can be seen from this tower. So, two posts acting as a lookout and for sending pending-danger messages were installed at the points known as Guardia Grande in the northeast, and Las Cannas on the Capo Spartivento in the southwest.
The first restoration work was carried out in the XVII century following a fire probably caused by the Barbareschi.
In 1842, Carlo Alberto of Savoia abolished the Royal administration of the towers. From that moment onwards up until the 1950s, the Tower of Chia was used by the Guardia di Finanza. At the end of the 1990s it was used for a number of temporary exhibitions.
The structure falls into the category of “De armas” towers and has a well-defined basic wainscoting while the inside has a cupola vault with pillar.
The entrance is about 5 m off the ground and can be accessed via a stainless-steel staircase during the guided tours in summer.
The access stair to the terrace, inside the wall structure, is built in stone and covered with juniper wood planks. There are traces of wooden watchtowers and embrasures on the terrace.
The external walls feature well squared sandstone ashlars probably from the ruins of the coastal Roman cities of Bithia and Nora.
The tower offers a great view of the magnificent beach of Chia.
