Martiartu Tower, Medieval tower house in Erandio, Spain.
Martiartu Tower is a four-level stone structure with walls that get thinner as they rise, pointed arch doorways, and narrow openings for arrows on each story. The building sits on a steep slope near Mount Umbe and keeps its medieval appearance with its original stonework intact.
The tower was built between the late 1300s and early 1400s by Martin Ortiz de Martiartu as a fortified structure for the region. After being destroyed in 1472, it was rebuilt in 1488 and has remained standing since then.
The tower stands as a reminder of local nobility during medieval times and shapes how people view the surrounding landscape. Walking past it, you see a building that reflects the social order of its era.
The tower sits on the slopes of Mount Umbe and can be reached by walking trails that climb through hilly ground. Access is limited by the terrain, so be ready for uneven pathways and changing weather.
The structure displays fine details like double rows of stone supports holding a perforated defensive walkway and cylindrical shapes at the upper corners. These features show both how it was defended and how it displayed the owner's wealth and power.
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