Tower of Álvar Fáñez, Medieval defensive tower in Guadalajara, Spain.
The Tower of Álvar Fáñez is a pentagonal stone structure in Guadalajara that rises 14 meters high with two distinct levels. Access to each floor occurs through arched openings located on different sides of the building.
The structure was built in the 14th century as part of the city's fortification system and monitored the entrance to the Jewish quarter. It served as a strategic point in Guadalajara's medieval defensive network.
The tower bears the name of Álvar Fáñez, a military commander under El Cid, whose legendary passage through this location in 1085 remains part of local memory. This connection to medieval conquest shapes how visitors understand the site today.
The structure functions today as an interpretation center where visitors learn about Guadalajara's coat of arms through exhibitions and guided tours. These regularly offered tours help visitors understand the site's meaning and historical context.
The rear facade was intentionally constructed open to prevent enemies from establishing positions if they managed to capture the fortification. This unusual defensive design shows the strategic thinking of the medieval builders.
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