Torre de la Vela, Melilla, Turm in Spanien
Torre de la Vela is a watchtower structure in Melilla with four stories topped by a bell cast in the 1600s, connected to a narrow building with windows and balconies. Inside are a 16th-century chapel, dungeons, and exhibition spaces that blend historic stonework with contemporary art displays.
The tower was built centuries ago as a defense structure and equipped as an arms store in the 1600s before serving as military quarters in later centuries. It was transformed into a museum during the 1980s with recent renovations between 2020 and 2021 preserving its original form.
The tower stands in the old quarter on Plaza de los Aljibes and is locally called Casa del Reloj due to its clock. Visitors experience it as a meeting point of different peoples and eras, reflecting how Melilla has functioned as a crossroads of cultures over centuries.
The tower sits in an ancient quarter with narrow streets and requires time to explore properly. Plan to spend time walking through the surrounding area and include nearby monuments in your visit to the old city.
The bell tower holds a bell cast in 1686 engraved with mysterious numbers marking an important regional event, and it still rings on special occasions. This bell has become a symbol of Melilla's endurance and remains one of the few original elements still in use.
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