A coastal watchtower built in the 16th century as part of the Spanish-era chain of defensive towers along the Lazio coast, positioned to signal approaching Saracen raids. Torre Fico (Fig Tree Tower) sits at the southern end of the Porto di Circeo beach, its cylindrical form visible from the water and from the harbour. The tower is not open to the public but is a landmark for swimmers and boat-users in the bay.
The coastal tower network stretching from the Pontine coast to the Calabrian shore was one of the most extensive early warning systems in the Mediterranean. At intervals of five to ten kilometres, towers like this one could relay signals from one to the next within hours, alerting the mainland to approaching threats. The Paola Tower, 5 kilometres further along the coast, is the other surviving example near San Felice Circeo.