Torre Nueva (La Línea de la Concepción) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torre Nueva(New Tower) |
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| Location | La Línea de la Concepció, Spain |
| Built | 16th century |
| Official name: Torre Nueva | |
| Type | Non-movable in ruins |
| Criteria | Monument |
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The Torre Nueva, also called Torrenueva, is an old watchtower located in La Línea de la Concepción, a town in Spain. It is one of 44 similar towers built along the Spanish coast. These towers stretched from the Guadiaro River all the way to the border with Portugal. They were all built during the time of King Felipe III. Other similar towers were also built along the Mediterranean coast, from Málaga to Catalonia.
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The Torre Nueva Watchtower
What Was Its Purpose?
These watchtowers had a very important job. Their main purpose was to warn people living near the coast about Berber pirate ships. If pirates were spotted, the tower guards would quickly light smoke signals or bonfires.
At the very top of each tower, there was always a pile of dry wood ready to be burned. This way, if danger appeared, the alarm signal could be sent immediately. The smoke or fire would then be seen by nearby towers, which would light their own signals. This created a chain of warnings along the coast.
The Torre Nueva could see and communicate with two other towers: the Torre Nueva de Guadiaro and the Torre Carbonera. As of 2017[update], the Torre Nueva is still in good condition. It stands proudly on the Playa de Torrenueva beach, which is named after it.
How Was It Built?
The Torre Nueva is a round tower. It is about 7.25 meters (23.8 ft) wide and 12 meters (39 ft) tall. Inside, there is a room with a brick-domed ceiling. This room is about 4.4 meters (14 ft) wide and 7.5 meters (25 ft) high.
You can get into this room through a door located about 3.7 meters (12 ft) above the ground. Inside the room, there was a fireplace for the guards. There was also another door that led to a spiral staircase built into the walls. This staircase allowed guards to go up to the roof. The room also had a window.
The roof of the tower has a protective wall, called a parapet, which is a little over a meter high. In this wall, right above the main door, there is a special opening called a machicolation. This opening allowed defenders to drop things like stones or hot water on enemies below. There were also wooden platforms, called scaffolds, on the sides.
Who Guarded the Tower?
The Torre Nueva was designed to hold five men inside. These would usually be four soldiers and a corporal (a type of military leader). At the base of the tower, there was a larger group of guards. This group included a corporal and six foot soldiers, plus another corporal and four cavalry soldiers (soldiers who rode horses).
A National Monument
Because of its history and importance, the Torre Nueva was officially declared a national monument on April 22, 1949.
See also
In Spanish: Torre Nueva (La Línea de la Concepción) para niños
