Martello Towers are fortifications that were built by the British Army for coastal defence during the nineteenth century. They were built all over the British Empire, from Ireland to Canada, and many survive to this day. The name ‘Martello’ (and the idea for the English towers) came from a circular stone tower built in Corsica, at Mortella Point. French troops occupied the island, and so Corsican patriots pleaded for British help to drive the French out. In 1794, two Royal Navy ships sailed close to the ‘Mortella Tower’ to destroy it, but were themselves fired upon, suffering sixty casualties. The tower eventually had to be captured by the army, but its strength had impressed those whose efforts it had stoutly resisted for several days.By 1803, Britain was at war with France again, and the army of Napoleon Bonaparte was camped at Boulogne, ready to launch an invasion across the English Channel. It was decided to build circular brick towers, each mounting a cannon on the roof, a decision influenced by some of those who had been at Mortella Point some years earlier. Peter Hibbs, AuthorThe towers in England were built in two phases, the first being on the South Coast from 1805 to 1808, and the second those on the East Coast from 1808 to 1812.Jaywick Martello Tower is the latest Digital Arts venue to open in the UK and one of the most unusual. The Napoleonic Tower will feature a gallery space where the photographer John Kippin has produced a site-specific photographic installation. There is also a first floor multi-media space for exhibitions, events and workshops using the latest technology including interactive, 3D and VR projection facilities, and where international digital artist Masaki Fujihata will present his work ‘Mersea Circles’ for the inaugural opening. The Tower will also retain its important function as a look out post for the National Coastwatch through a beautiful new architect designed watchtower, and providing an impressive viewing area for the local coast.Situated in Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, the Tower, with floor to ceiling curved projection screen for immersive 3D