A Lanzada Tower, Medieval defensive tower in Sanxenxo, Spain.
A Lanzada Tower is a stone structure built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Atlantic coast, positioned to watch over the sea. Its thick walls and elevated location allowed defenders to spot ships and threats approaching from a distance.
The tower originated in the early medieval period as a response to raids by Nordic and Moorish pirates threatening the Galician coast. It was part of a larger network of watchtowers that were expanded and strengthened over generations.
The tower was a key part of how Galician communities protected themselves from sea attacks and outsiders for centuries. It shows how much people valued guarding their coastline and controlling who came ashore.
The site sits on rocks right by the sea, so wear sturdy shoes and be careful, especially in windy or wet weather. Access comes via local paths from Sanxenxo, and it is worth checking the tides since some areas become hard to reach at high tide.
The structure still has gun ports and defensive features that show how medieval fighters protected their position. These details are rarely as well preserved as they are here and give a real sense of military architecture from that era.
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