Torre de Sant Josep, Roman funerary tower in La Vila Joiosa, Spain.
The Torre de Sant Josep is a square stone tower with Corinthian columns and capitals at its four corners, each side measuring about 5 meters (16 feet). The monument shows typical Roman construction with layered stonework and preserved inscription tablets.
The burial monument was built in the second century and served as the tomb of the wealthy Roman Lucius Terentius Mancinus. Inscriptions carved into the base recorded his name and social standing in this port city.
The tower showed how wealthy Romans honored their dead and displayed their family's status in the port. The elaborate stonework and inscriptions were signs of power and wealth in the ancient world.
The monument is located near the harbor and visible from outside, though it sits within a protected area. Visitors should check with the local tourism office about current access conditions before planning their visit.
Unlike other Roman burial monuments typically built along roads, this tower was intentionally placed on a hill overlooking the sea. The location meant sailors and ships in the harbor could spot the structure from great distances.
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