Tower of the Bones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tower of the Bones |
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| Plaza de Oriente, Madrid | |
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| Coordinates | 40°24′59″N 3°42′55″W / 40.416464°N 3.71525°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 11th century |
The Tower of Bones is an old Islamic watchtower. You can see what's left of it today in an underground parking lot under the Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Spain. It was built in the 11th century by the Muslim people who created the Mayrit fortress about 200 years before. This tower was a key part of their defense system.
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What Was the Tower of Bones?
This tower stood outside the main fortress, known as the citadel. Its job was to watch over the Arenal stream area, which was in the northwest part of Madrid. This spot is now very close to where the Royal Palace stands.
When King Alfonso VI took over Madrid in 1083, the tower became part of the new Christian wall. The people of Madrid built this wall to make the city's defenses even stronger, extending the older Muslim walls.
Why Was the Tower Important?
The Tower of Bones did more than just watch for danger. It also helped protect the "Fountain of the Pear Tree Canals." This fountain was located where the Plaza de Isabel II is today.
The tower also kept safe the Valnadú Gate. This gate was one of the four main entrances into the Christian wall. It was near where Calle de la Unión and Calle Vergara meet, right next to the south side of the Royal Theatre.
How Was the Tower Built?
The tower got its name because it was close to an old Islamic cemetery called "Huesa del Raf." It had a square shape. The builders used a mix of different stone types. They used rough, uncut stones (called masonry) and carefully cut, smooth stones (called ashlars). These stones were made of tough flint and limestone.
In 1996, workers found the tower's remains. This happened during a big project to update the Plaza de Oriente and build an underground parking lot. Today, only the bottom part of the tower is still there.
See Also
In Spanish: Torre de los Huesos para niños
