Watchtower of El Berrueco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Watchtower of El Berrueco |
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| Native name Spanish: Atalaya de El Berrueco |
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| Location | El Berrueco, Spain |
| Official name: Atalaya de El Berrueco | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1983 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0004933 |
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The Watchtower of El Berrueco is an old tower in El Berrueco, Spain. It is also called the Watchtower of Torrepedrera. This tower was built a very long time ago by Muslims.
You can find it near the El Altazar dam. It sits on top of a hill that is about 1,030 meters (3,379 feet) high. This hill is part of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. In 1983, it was named an important cultural site.
Contents
History of the Watchtower
When the Tower Was Built
The Watchtower of El Berrueco was built a long, long time ago. Experts think it was made between the 9th and 10th centuries. This was during the time of important leaders like Muhammad I and Abd al-Rahman III.
Why the Tower Was Important
This tower was part of a big system of watchtowers. Muslims built these towers in different places across the Sierra de Guadarrama. Their main job was to watch over valleys and roads. They were looking for Christian armies trying to attack.
This defense system was very important for the military. It was in a special border area. This area was known as the Middle March of Al-Andalus, which was a Muslim-ruled part of Spain.
How the Towers Worked Together
The Watchtower of El Berrueco worked with other towers and castles. It helped control the waterways of the Jarama river. These waterways led to the Somosierra mountain pass. This pass was a key route between northern and southern Spain.
The watchtower could send messages to the nearby castle of Uceda. This castle is in the province of Guadalajara. The tower would warn the castle about Christian groups moving forward.
What the Watchtower Looks Like
Shape and Materials
The Watchtower of El Berrueco is round. It looks a bit like a tree trunk because its shape is not perfectly smooth. The tower was built using strong, cut stones called ashlar. The very bottom part of the tower is made of solid stone.
How to Get Inside
You can get into the tower through a door on the second floor. This door is about 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) above the ground. This height made it harder for enemies to get in.
Tower Dimensions
The walls of the tower are very thick. At the bottom, they are about 1.58 meters (5.2 feet) thick. At the top, they are still quite thick, about 1.05 meters (3.4 feet). The space inside the tower is about 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) wide.
Current Condition
Today, the Watchtower of El Berrueco is still in good condition. Even though it is on private land, people are allowed to visit it.
