Martello towers were defensive towers built in the early 1800’s along the south and southeast coasts of England and the east coast of Ireland. The towers were built to defend against Napoleon’s threatened invasion. The British government built 74 Martello towers along the coasts of Essex, Kent, and East Sussex. A long-range cannon stood on top of each tower. The cannon was mounted on a swivel so that it could be aimed in any direction. The Martello towers were modeled on a tower at Cape Mortella, Corsica. The name Martello comes from Mortella.
