Torre de la Peña, Fortified tower in San Roque, Spain.
Torre de la Peña is a fortified tower standing atop a rock formation about 25 meters high, featuring rectangular walls and a single interior chamber. This chamber provides access to a crenellated terrace at roof level.
The tower was built between the 13th and 14th centuries as part of a defense network protecting the Strait of Gibraltar. It also guarded Valdevaqueros Bay against seaborne attacks.
The tower takes its name from its location on Peña del Ciervo, derived from the Arabic Hajrat al-ayal meaning Deer's Rock. This naming reflects the long Arabic influence in the region's history.
Access to the tower is gained via an approximately 85-step stairway at ground level, unlike many other coastal towers with elevated entrances. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time for climbing the rocky terrain.
The tower features meter-thick masonry walls, arrow slits for defense, and a trapdoor system connecting the main chamber to the upper terrace. These features reveal thoughtful medieval military architecture.
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