A few kilometers from Santa Croce di Magliano, in the Magliano district, are the striking remains of an ancient cylindrical tower, with an escarpment base, surrounded by dense vegetation. The tower, located on top of a rise and clearly visible from the road leading to Rotello, is an important historical evidence for the area.
The origins of the Tower of Magliano probably date back to the 13th century. Built with military surveillance functions, it served to control and protect the surrounding area, which at the time was infested with brigands. Although there is little historical information, the tower is shrouded in numerous legends. One of them tells of the existence of a secret tunnel that connected it to the center of Santa Croce, passing through the old “Quartetto” neighborhood, as an escape route in case of danger. Other stories tell of treasures hidden near the tower.
Monsignor Tria, in his Memorie Storiche Civili ed Ecclesiastiche, also mentions the tower, describing it as “in buon essere” and called “Magliano Castle,” located about a mile from Santa Croce and near the Tona River.
The Tower of Magliano gave the town its very name and has always been considered its symbol, although for years it remained abandoned due to private ownership. A turning point came in 2000: thanks to the donation of sisters Anna Maria and Maria Luisa Fontana, the Municipality of Santa Croce acquired ownership of the tower.
The Municipal Council enthusiastically accepted the bequest, recognizing the tower as a cultural and historical heritage fundamental to the identity of Santa Croce people around the world. In 2007, a path was built to allow easier access to the site from the “Pessina” road, bringing citizens and visitors closer to their precious monument.