The tower is thought to date back to the 10th century, to the times of the Hungarian incursions. The name Segname derives from its function as a strategic location for sending signals in the valley (‘segnale’ is Italian for signal). It was however also known as Panperduto (lost bread), probably in memory of a disastrous assault. Although it was never the scene of any important military action, it has been calculated that information sent from this strategically located tower could be transmitted from tower to tower using smoke signals or coloured flags and reach Milan in less than an hour.