Torre del Trovador, Medieval defense tower in Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza, Spain.
The Torre del Trovador is a square tower with five floors built from alabaster and concrete, featuring horseshoe arches throughout its interior. The floors connect through narrow passages and openings that reflect its original defensive role.
The tower was built in the late 9th century under Muhammad Alanqar as a watchtower for the palace grounds. It later became integrated into the Aljafería Palace complex and served as a key part of the fortification system.
The tower takes its name from a Spanish drama written in the 19th century, which Giuseppe Verdi later adapted into a famous opera. Visitors can still sense this literary connection today while walking through the historical walls.
Entry to the tower is through a small, low doorway that originally connected to a removable ladder system. Visitors should prepare for tight spaces and steep stairs when climbing to the upper floors.
From 1486 until the 19th century, the tower served as a Spanish Inquisition prison with cells on multiple floors. Today visitors can see the confined spaces where prisoners spent their time.
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