Torre del Giove, Elba

The Jupiter Fortress is a 15th-century military building located in the municipality of Rio on the island of Elba.

The original name is Fortezza del Giogo, deriving from the "saddle-like" orographic trend of the high ground on which the fortification stands. It was presumably built in 1459, at the behest of Jacopo III Appiano, in order to control the overlooking Piombino canal and the mining hinterland of eastern Elba. Inside it, on several occasions, the inhabitants of the two neighboring settlements of Grassera and Rio defended themselves.

The fortification had a quadrangular keep or keep with the part below the scarp curb, composed of three vaulted levels and surrounded by a crenellated curtain wall, also scarp and protected by a dry moat. The entrance, located in the southeastern front, was protected by a tower with a gateway and, on the outer battlement, a drawbridge.

Until 1967, a marble coat of arms of the Appian family, measuring 2 x 1 meters and 30 centimeters thick, was visible on the ground immediately east of the fortress, which was later stolen.

The entire structure is now in a state of deep disrepair and precariousness; copious collapses have completely filled the first level on the inner side of the caisson are also sprinkled at the foot of the entire outer structure.