The Civic Tower

The Civic Tower is still the main attraction for the inhabitants of Peglio and the surrounding area, for the historical memories it preserves.

In ancient times, the tower was surrounded by a wall that delimited the castle, now no longer visible due to successive demolitions; some remains of the walls are today distinguishable mostly on the west side, while on the south side, with a suggestive path recently recreated on a cliff with sheer rocks, caves are still visible that could represent the ancient escape routes serving the original fortress.

With simple Guelph cantonal battlements and raised on three levels, its role as a fundamental observation point in the defensive system of Feltre is evident. Subjected to subsequent partial demolitions, it was restored by Francesco Maria II in 1614 and suffered further damage during the demolition period of the fortresses arranged by Guidobaldo at the time of his escape from the possessions.

Transformed into a bell tower, in photos from the period before the Second World War it appears covered by a roof placed at a lower level than the current summit. During the war it was partially demolished by the German occupying troops, as it constituted an observation point of excessive strategic importance. At the pressing request of the population, who saw the tower as the symbol of the town, and with the commitment of the then parish priest, it was partially dismantled and not blown up with explosive charges.

The common commitment and the desire of the inhabitants to have their distinctive symbol back, meant that the tower was subsequently rebuilt with Guelph-style battlements placed at the corners, so as to resemble the appearance that it held in the seventeenth-century illustration by Mingucci, although not reaching the original levels and height. The bells were repositioned in the tower, along with the bell from 1485, with the coats of arms of Peglio and of Duke Guidobaldo cast in bronze, in relief. The property is protected by the Superintendency of Architectural and Landscape Heritage pursuant to art. 5 of Legislative Decree 29/10/1999 n. 490 and subsequent amendments.