Torreón del Alamín, Medieval defensive tower in Guadalajara, Spain

Torreón del Alamín is a square tower of the old city wall of Guadalajara, about 20 metres high from the bottom of the Alamín ravine. It is built of mortar and rubble masonry, with walls almost 2 metres thick, and has two floors linked by a narrow spiral staircase. The south side has a plain lintelled door at street level and a round-arched door above, the original entrance; two small watch balconies open on the north side.

The tower formed part of Guadalajara's walls as they were reinforced and renewed between the 13th and 14th centuries, on the north side above the Alamín ravine. It guarded the gate known as the Puerta del Postigo, controlling access from El Alamín, the city's main Muslim suburb to the northeast, reached across the Puente de las Infantas. In the 18th century, its military role gone, it housed a hospital; it was declared a National Monument on 23 May 1921.

The tower houses an exhibition about how Guadalajara's defensive walls evolved over time, with ceramics, backlit panels, and scale models showing what the medieval city looked like. Visitors can see how these structures shaped the way people moved through and protected their community.

The tower is easy to visit and the interior spiral staircase allows you to explore different levels and enjoy views from multiple heights. Wear comfortable shoes since you will need to climb the stairs to see the upper sections.

The tower's original entrance is a round-arched doorway on the upper floor, reached from the south side; the street-level door below is a later addition. Two small watch balconies face El Alamín on the north side, and arrow slits open toward the outside.