TORRE
VIGÍA
TORRE VIGÍA
The origin of our story
The Watchtower or Atalaya Tower of Torrenueva Costa is a defensive tower built at the end of the 17th century, during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, with the purpose of protecting the coast from attacks by Barbary and Turkish pirates who plagued the Mediterranean coastline.
Architecturally, the Atalaya Tower has a circular floor plan and stands at a height of about 15 meters. It is built of stone and features several floors connected to each other by a spiral staircase. At the top of the tower is the terrace, which offers views of the sea and the surrounding territory.
The tower is equipped with several defensive elements, such as arrow slits (openings in the walls for firing arrows or firearms), a cannon embrasure, and an elevated access door that can only be reached using a movable ladder.
Historically, the Watchtower played a fundamental role in the defense of the Granada coast against pirate attacks. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mediterranean coast was besieged by Barbary and Turkish corsairs, who raided coastal towns and carried off their inhabitants as slaves. It was part of a network of defensive towers that stretched along the entire coastline, allowing communication between them through light and smoke signals.
In the 19th century, it lost its defensive function and came to be used as housing by local fishermen and farmers. Today, the tower has been restored and is under protection and conservation status, allowing visitors and residents to experience firsthand the history and architecture of a bygone era.
GALLERY
