How 16th Century Pirate Watchtower Turns Into Italian Coastal Abode

A 16th century pirate watchtower on Tuscany’s Romito Coast, overlooking the town of Livorno, Italy, has been transformed into something rather unexpected after a contemporary restoration. Led by Tono architectural and interior design studio, this modern revival turned the historic Castle Sonnino into a high-end coastal property while preserving its architectural memory. Its captivating weathered stone façade conceals an ocean-inspired, elegant interior wrapped with a soothing color palette.

The Castle Sonnino was a watchtower built in the 16th century as part of the defense system to keep the Medici family safe from Barbary and Turkish pirate invasions. In the early 18th century, the Medici family fortified the watchtower into a castle overlooking the sea, after which it fell into the hands of the French. However, a major turning point occurred when Sidney Sonnino, the Treasury Minister of the then-Kingdom of Italy, turned the fort into his summer residence in 1895.

The heirs of Baron Sonnino sold the castle to Sergio Pucciarini, a former Italian Navy officer, in 1987. In 2025, the Pucciarini family and the Tono architectural design studio completed its restoration. The family’s main request was to restore and preserve the castle’s historical charm but modernize its interior. The studio retained the weathered texture of the castle’s stone façade by detailing it with lime and travertine.

When it comes to the interior, it is the polar opposite of the historic exterior and looks refreshing, like a fresh ocean breeze. Various architectural elements like floor-length ivory drapes, lapis lazuli, blue palette, and a triple-arched wood window frame add a lovely coastal vibe to the space without overshadowing its timeless historical charm.

The studio carefully restored the existing mosaic-like texture of the Venetian terrazzo and marble flooring. The team also repaired the bastion, which once served as a strategic vantage point for defenders. The sculptural ceiling lights in the restored staircase hallway add a beautiful contemporary touch to its vintage architecture.

The beautiful checkboard pattern with gray and white marble tiles enhances the timeless appeal, while the pale-colored wall imbues the space with calm. The dark-toned wooden guardrail on the stairs complements the neutral color palette and adds organic, tactile richness. The traditional Tuscan ceiling in the dining room adds an eye-catching rustic aesthetic, while the triple-arched window adds Gothic charm and offers panoramic views of the seascape.

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The newly restored billiard room has a library with maritime artifacts and books displayed in the open shelves. The billiard table anchors the space with its striking 19th century elite Italian craftsmanship that flaunts a carved wood lion mask in the wooden legs, symbolizing power and nobility befitting Baron Sonnino’s status. The wooden furniture dominates the bedroom of the coastal property. The biophilic architectural elements, like the terracotta curved roof and antique wooden chairs, fill the space with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

The Castle Sonnino is one of the remarkable examples of modernizing the windswept castle without compromising its historical charm and significance. The Tono architectural and interior design studio did a remarkable job at imbuing the interior with a fresh coastal vibe that complements the cliff enveloped by a gorgeous seascape. The windows bring in the fresh breeze and maintain a visual connection with nature.