Tower of the Bones, Medieval Islamic watchtower near Plaza de Oriente, Madrid, Spain
The Tower of the Bones is a square-based structure built from flint and limestone that shows both Islamic and Christian building styles. Today, visitors can see the preserved foundation of the tower enclosed in glass within the underground parking area at Plaza de Oriente.
The tower was built in the 11th century as part of the defensive system of the Mayrit fortress during the Islamic period. When Christians conquered Madrid in 1083, the structure was incorporated into the new defensive walls of the expanding settlement.
The tower takes its name from its location near the Islamic cemetery of Huesa del Raf, reflecting how medieval Madrid was home to different communities. Visitors walking through the area can sense the layered history of a city that changed hands and cultures over centuries.
To see the ruins, you need to go into the underground parking structure at Plaza de Oriente, where the tower sits behind glass barriers. The site is easy to find and accessible, though the remains are hidden beneath the modern city.
The remains were uncovered in 1996 during archaeological work and provide solid proof that an Islamic fortress once stood where Madrid is today. The discovery was remarkable because this piece of the past lay hidden beneath the modern city for centuries until construction workers happened upon it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
