Pobla de Bellestar Tower, Medieval fortified tower in Vilafranca del Cid, Spain
Pobla de Bellestar Tower is a rectangular stone structure about 14 meters tall with reinforced corners and a two-level roof featuring Arabic tiles. The building combines defensive elements with residential features typical of medieval rural architecture.
The tower was built during the 13th century under the jurisdiction of Don Blasco de Alagón and served dual purposes for farming and defense. It arose when rural communities needed their own protective structures independent of larger feudal defenses.
The tower shows a regional building pattern that emerged because local farming families needed to protect themselves. These fortified structures became common in areas without castle protection.
The tower sits near a Gothic bridge that crosses the Truchas River, making it relatively easy to locate in the landscape. Since it functions as a private residence today, views are best from outside the building while respecting the current inhabitants.
The ground floor features a Romanesque barrel vault that visitors often overlook while focusing on exterior defenses. This interior arch reveals how practical living spaces were carefully integrated within the fortified structure.
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