Gezicht op de oostkant van Amalfi 1861 - 1878

Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy captured this view of the east side of Amalfi with photography, a relatively new medium, allowing the masses to now see the world through a lens. Here, the composition draws our eye upward, following the terraced architecture climbing the steep hillside, topped by a medieval watchtower. These towers, symbols of vigilance and defense, echo through history, from ancient city walls to Renaissance fortifications. They harken back to an archetype of protection and control, ever-present in the collective memory of civilization. In this image, the watchtower is a silent sentinel, yet it reminds us of the ever-evolving dance between security and vulnerability that shapes our urban landscapes. The psychological impact of these architectural symbols is profound, instilling a sense of security while also serving as a reminder of potential threats. Thus, the tower is not merely a structure of stone; it is a vessel of cultural memory, a palimpsest inscribed with layers of human experience.