It is traditionally dated to the 15th century, when the Republic of Venice controlled Durrës, and was built on the remains of an earlier Byzantine tower to reinforce the medieval city walls. Unlike the older Byzantine towers, it has a circular plan, about 16 metres in diameter, designed as an artillery and observation post to guard the harbour. Some researchers have argued that it may in fact belong to the Ottoman period, a reminder of how layered the history of Durrës is.
Damaged by the 2019 earthquake, the tower was restored with European Union support and reopened as a heritage interpretation centre, using multimedia displays to introduce the cultural heritage of Durrës and Albania. From the top, visitors enjoy views over the city and the Adriatic.
The tower is an easy stop on a walk that takes in the Roman amphitheatre and the surviving stretches of the walls, all within a few minutes of each other.
