Italian neighbors used to compete by building tall towers. See inside one that's still standing after 600 years.

• Torre Guinigi, or Guinigi Tower, was built in Lucca, Italy, in the late 1300s.
• It was common for wealthy families to commission towers to see who could build the tallest one.
• The tower's roof has a garden, which has several tall holm oak trees and is open to visitors.

In 2024, homeowners' displays of wealth might include at-home movie theaters, helipads, sprawling subterranean garages — or even a towel warmer.

But in medieval Italy, homeowners were more obvious: The taller their structure, they thought, the greater their wealth and influence.