The Watts Towers are an extraordinary symbol of immigrant resilience and artistic ambition and are, today, one of Los Angeles’ most beloved and unique landmarks. Conceived and built over three decades by Italian immigrant Sabato “Simon” Rodia, the Towers capture the cultural fusion of his Italian roots with the creative and lively world of Los Angeles.

Rising nearly 100 feet above the neighborhood of Watts, these structures—created with an eclectic mix of found materials like glass bottles, pottery shards, seashells, and faucet handles—now rival icons like the Hollywood Sign and LACMA’s “Urban Light” in popularity and visibility.