Torre de la Calahorra, Ancient fortified tower in Elche, Spain.
The Torre de la Calahorra is a stone fortified tower with a rectangular base and walls built from substantial blocks at its foundation, covered with plaster on the exterior. It sits at the edge of the historic city center and demonstrates the solid construction typical of medieval defensive structures.
The tower was built during the Islamic period between the 12th and 13th centuries to defend the main approach to the fortified city. An earthquake in 1829 damaged the structure and permanently altered its original form.
The ground floor holds a space decorated with Egyptian motifs and Masonic symbols, reflecting the period when the local Masonic lodge met here. This interior design shows the intellectual movements that shaped the building's use during the 1800s.
You can reach it on foot from the historic center, with parking available nearby. Wear comfortable shoes as the approach to the tower crosses uneven cobblestone streets.
The 1829 earthquake cost the tower roughly 10 meters of its original height, dramatically changing its visible outline. Later renovations blended neo-Arabic style elements into the structure, creating a mix of medieval and 19th-century influences.
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