Torre de los Adalides facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torre de los Adalides(Tower of the Champions) |
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Torre de los Adalides
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| Location | Algeciras, Spain |
| Built | 12th or 13th century |
| Architectural style(s) | Islamic |
| Official name: Torre de los Adalides | |
| Type | Non-movable in ruins |
| Criteria | Monument |
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The Torre de los Adalides, also known as the Tower of the Champions, was a tall, rectangular tower built a long time ago. It had an Islamic design and was used to watch over the area near Algeciras, Spain.
This tower stood about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the coast on a hill. The hill was about 100 meters (328 feet) above sea level. Today, this area is covered by the city's northern neighborhoods. The Spanish army destroyed the tower in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. They were worried that American soldiers might use it as their own base.
You cannot visit the tower's ruins easily today. They are inside a military area, and you need special permission to go there.
History of the Tower
The Torre de los Adalides was one of many watchtowers built between the 1100s and 1200s. These towers helped keep an eye on the Strait of Gibraltar and Algeciras Bay. These are important waterways where ships pass.
We don't know the exact year the tower was built. However, it was first mentioned in 1342. It was likely built shortly before the town of Tarifa was captured in 1289. At that time, the Campo de Gibraltar region became an important border area.
The tower could see other watchtowers nearby, like the Torre de Botafuegos and Torre del Almirante. It also had a view of the towns of Al-Yazira Al-Jadra (which is now Algeciras) and Carteia.
This tower was very important during the long Siege of Algeciras (1342-1344). King Alfonso XI of Castile and his soldiers used it as their base. The tower got its name from the "adalides," who were brave Moorish troops. These "champions" were based in the area. King Alfonso XI even lived in the tower during the siege.
In 1344, these troops fought in the Battle of Río Palmones against soldiers from Granada. This battle ended the siege, and the city of Algeciras surrendered.
Later, in 1776, the tower was used to store gunpowder. A small guard protected it. By 1832, the tower was old and falling apart. It was no longer used.
Finally, in July 1898, army engineers destroyed it. This happened during the Spanish–American War. The army feared that enemy forces might use the tower. They worried it could be a landmark to aim at a nearby gun battery. Or, they thought the enemy might set up their own temporary gun battery there. Today, the tower's old foundations are in the courtyard of a military barracks with the same name.
How the Tower Looked
Not much of the tower is left today. But old records and photos tell us a lot about its shape and size.
The tower had three floors. The first floor was separate and had its own door at ground level. You could reach the second floor using a ladder attached to the outside wall. Inside stairs led up to the third floor.
The building was about 14 meters (46 feet) tall. It was rectangular, measuring 4 by 6 meters (13 by 20 feet). Its walls were very thick, about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide.
An octagonal (eight-sided) mud wall surrounded the tower. This wall was about 80 inches (2 meters) thick. It stood between 3.5 and 4.5 meters (11.5 to 14.8 feet) high.
See also
- In Spanish: Torre de los Adalides para niños
