The edifice was built in the 16th century by the architect Jacopo Meleghino at the behest of Pope Paul III and demolished in 1886 as part of the construction works of the Vittoriano.

It was annexed to the Franciscan Convent of Aracoeli (whose structures were almost entirely demolished as well[1]) and rose at the foot of the Basilica of Ara Coeli, on the north side of the hill facing Via del Corso.

The tower dominated the north end of Via del Corso, just above the Palazzetto di San Marco (to which it was connected by a corridor), and occupied approximately the same position of the current equestrian statue of the King.

The Tower had a characteristic massive structure with an approximately cubic shape, hanging over the square below, as can be clearly seen in the images and ancient photographs of the Capitolium; it was adjacent to one of the three fifteenth-century cloisters of the Convent of Ara Coeli, which was demolished as well.

The interior of the structure originally boasted a rich decoration, which has largely been lost: the only surviving works, thanks to the efforts of the painter Filippo Prosperi, are some detached frescoes from the school of Raphael (Taddeo Zuccari, Michele da Lucca, maybe Perino del Vaga).