Torre de Montgó, Watchtower in L'Escala, Spain
Torre de Montgó is a small stone watchtower on a headland near L'Escala in Spain. Built with thick walls and a simple round shape, it has a raised entrance and a flat top that once held a small cannon.
It was raised in 1598 on orders from King Felipe II to warn nearby villages of pirate ships. In later years, an opening was added near the ground for an old cistern, and the structure was repaired in the 1990s.
Today the tower is a quiet stop on coastal walks, where visitors climb to the top to look toward Sant Martí d'Empúries and the bay of Roses. Its bare stone walls and small fireplaces inside show how soldiers lived and worked in this lonely post.
Approach the tower on foot along dirt paths, as the last stretch is uneven and best suited to walking shoes. The structure is open to visitors, but the interior is cramped, so mind your head and take your time on the stairs.
Below the entrance, two small stone ledges stick out from the wall; these were used to drop heavy objects on anyone trying to force the door. Many visitors pass by without noticing that the tower's base is much thicker than its top, a clever trick to resist cannon fire.
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