The Torre del Fraile (Tower Canutos or Friar Tower) is one of a set of military watchtowers built around the South and East coast of
Spain
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, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
to keep an eye on passing shipping and
Barbary pirates. The watchtowers were in sight of one another and it was therefore possible to get a signal to
Gibraltar
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, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song = " Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
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, image_map2 = Gib ...
from the watchtower in
Tarifa
Tarifa (, Arabic: طريفة) is a Spanish municipality in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Located at the southernmost end of the Iberian Peninsula, it is primarily known as one of the world's most popular destinations for windsports. Tarifa ...
. The tower was designed by
Luis Bravo and
Juan Pedro Laguna in 1588.
The tower is about 240 metres back from the sea and
Cala Arenas and 120 metres above it.
The tower is over six metres in diameter and was over thirteen metres high until the top collapsed in 2006 with the loss of a window and the upper staircase. The tower's entrance was over five metres in the air and this led onto a floor. From this the soldiers could climb to the top where space was reserved for firewood for signalling.
References
1588 establishments in Spain
Buildings and structures in Algeciras
Towers in Spain
Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in the Province of Cádiz
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