The tower is one of the oldest buildings in Asti and was built in different ages: the red part was made in the 1st century BC, while the highest part was built with
tuff in the 11th century. It was probably one of the two towers of a
city gate of
Roman period. It is thought to be the place where Saint
Secundus of Asti was jailed before being decapitated on 30 March 119. In the 12th century it became the
campanile of an adjacent church, and it still keeps this function today. The basement was later filled and walled up to increase stability. A copper steeple was present until 1777, when it was removed as it was unsafe. == References ==