Torre del Fraile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Friar Tower |
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| Native name Spanish: Torre del Fraile |
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the remains of the Torre del Fraile
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| Location | Algeciras, Spain |
| Built | 1588 |
| Architect | Luis Bravo de Acuña and Juan Pedro Laguna |
| Official name: Torre del Fraile | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
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The Friar Tower (also known as Torre del Fraile) is an old military watchtower. It is one of many towers built along the southern and eastern coasts of Spain. These towers helped people watch for ships and warn about Barbary pirates. The towers were built so they could see each other. This way, they could send signals quickly, like from one tower all the way to Gibraltar.
Contents
Friar Tower: A Coastal Lookout
Why Watchtowers Were Built
In the past, pirates were a big problem along the coast of Spain. They would attack ships and towns. To protect people, many watchtowers were built. These towers acted like early warning systems. When a pirate ship was spotted, the guards in the tower would light a fire. This smoke signal would be seen by the next tower, and so on. This way, news could travel fast along the coast.
Building the Friar Tower
The Friar Tower was designed in 1588. The people who planned it were Luis Bravo de Acuña and Juan Pedro Laguna. They were important architects at that time. They made sure the tower was strong and could do its job well.
What the Tower Looks Like
The Friar Tower is located near Cala Arenas in Algeciras. It stands about 240 meters (787 feet) away from the sea. It is also about 120 meters (394 feet) above the water. The tower is quite wide, measuring over six meters (20 feet) across.
It used to be more than thirteen meters (43 feet) tall. However, part of the top fell down in 2006. When it collapsed, a window and the upper staircase were lost. The entrance to the tower was high up, over five meters (16 feet) from the ground. This made it harder for enemies to get inside. Inside, there was a floor where soldiers could stand. From there, they could climb to the very top. The top part of the tower had space for firewood. This wood was used to make signal fires.
