Torre di Moravola

The Torre di Moravola is a 10th-century medieval watch tower built in Umbria, central Italy, to guard the southern approaches of Montone by the Fortebraccio, a condottieri family of the Renaissance.

Positioned on a hill top ridge, Madonna di Confine, overlooking the Carpini valley 450 metres above sea level, this strategic site served the dual purposes of holding the high ground and allowing the knights stationed there views of approach routes.

[1] In 1999 the site was purchased by architect Christopher Chong and designer Seonaid Mackenzie, who embarked on a nine-year renovation program.

The architectural methodology[2][3] includes a green approach that neatly integrates with acoustic goals for the property, a spa retreat hotel.

On a sunny day the array provides sufficient power to zero-carbon emissions charge a Tesla Model X in about six hours.

In order to achieve the high precision required CNC machine tools were used to custom cut and shape solid stone blocks.

Moravola's walls used wooden forms, which, in addition to the cost savings, allowed easy fabrication within the existing historical 10th-century structure.

The tower interiors have been restored with a modernistic design approach that complements auxiliary buildings, terraces and pool areas to create a contemporary retreat.