Restored 16th-century Italian watchtower Castel Sonnino reopens as residence

Castel Sonnino, a 16th-century watchtower on Tuscany's Romito Coast originally built by the Medici family to protect Livorno, has been restored and reopened as a private residence. After serving as a military garrison, it became the summer home of Italian statesman Baron Sidney Sonnino in the late 1800s; his tomb remains in a cave on the cliffs. The property had been closed for years until a recent restoration by Tono architectural and interior design studio, founded by architect Edoardo Ventisette and based in Florence and Livorno. The project, completed in 2025, preserved the historic exterior of stone, lime, and travertine while updating interiors with restored Venetian terrazzo and marble flooring and repaired bastions. The sea is visible from every room, inspiring a lapis lazuli color palette. The interior blends antiques with custom-made furniture, bringing the castle into the 21st century while maintaining its mysterious character.