Torre de Bonança, Defensive tower in Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.
The Torre de Bonança is a four-story structure with a square base and residential annexes attached to two of its four sides. The site sits within a maintained garden landscape filled with citrus groves, pine trees, cypresses, araucarias, carob trees, yucca plants, and palms.
This defensive structure was built in the 16th century under King Felipe II's coastal fortification program, with Jerónimo Arrufat overseeing its construction. It was erected during a period when towers like this were vital protections against pirates and foreign raids along the Mediterranean coast.
The Pascual de Bonanza family name comes from their settlement in Alicante, and the tower reflects their status as a prominent family connected to the medieval Christian expansion in the region.
Visitors should know that the tower sits within a private garden setting and is best explored with focus on the external structure and grounds rather than interior access. The best time to visit is during spring or autumn when temperatures are mild and the vegetation is at its fullest.
The family crest displays a walking lamb on a green field holding a white flag with a symbol similar to the Montesa cross, an unusual heraldic choice that sets them apart from other noble families in the area. This distinctive emblem can be spotted by visitors who examine the site closely.
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