Torre del río Guadalmedina, 16th century watchtower near the Strait of Gibraltar in Tarifa, Spain
The Guadalmedina tower is a cylindrical stone structure with a base diameter of roughly 12 meters (39 feet) and stands about 15 meters (49 feet) tall. It rises along the coastline near Tarifa with views across the water and surrounding landscape.
King Philip II commissioned Luis Bravo de Laguna to design this defensive structure in 1577, with construction starting in 1588 near the Guadalmedina river. The tower was built during an era when Spain reinforced its coastal fortifications.
The tower was part of a coastal defense network that protected Spanish territories from seaborne attacks. Visitors can observe how such structures shaped the life and security of people living along this coastline.
The tower sits along the Colada de la Costa coastal trail that you can reach from Tarifa. Wear sturdy shoes since the route involves field paths and coastal footpaths.
Inside the tower, a spiral stone staircase winds upward to reach an observation platform at the top. From this vantage point, visitors can see across the Strait of Gibraltar and along the coastline far into the distance.
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