Torre de doña Ochanda, Medieval tower in Alde Zaharra, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
The Torre de doña Ochanda is a stone tower with defensive features located in the old quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz, combining residential and military design elements from its construction period. The structure displays thick walls and narrow openings characteristic of fortified buildings from that era.
The tower was built around 1500 and later converted into a residence by Andrés Martínez de Iruña for his family's use. This transformation from a fortified structure to a dwelling reflects changing needs in the city during that period.
The tower now houses a museum dedicated to natural sciences, featuring geological displays and specimens of regional wildlife from the Basque Country. This use connects the building to the community's interest in understanding the local environment.
The location is easily accessible on foot in the city center and sits on a paved street in the old quarter. Planning your visit during regular daytime hours works best, and you can combine it with other nearby landmarks in the same area.
The museum contains amber specimens from the Cretaceous period with trapped insects and bird feathers that are over 100 million years old. This unusual collection makes the tower an unexpected place for paleontological discoveries and study.
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