Torre de Guaita
This truncated-cone watchtower stands right on the seafront of El Puig beach, beside the promenade, built in the second half of the 16th century as part of the coastal defence tower system against raids by Turks and Barbary pirates. Made of reddish rodeno stone, it still keeps its arrow-slits, the long narrow openings from which guards fired. It has been listed as a Cultural Heritage Site (BIC) since 2002 and is admired from the outside along the seafront promenade.
Barely eight and a half metres tall and six across at its base, the Torre de Guaita has watched over El Puig beach in El Puig since the 16th century. It is a truncated-cone tower built of reddish rodeno stone, set right at the edge of the seafront promenade.
Why it was built
It belongs to the chain of defence towers that lined the Valencian coast in the second half of the 16th century, when raids by Turks and Barbary pirates were a genuine threat to seaside villages. From up top the guards scanned the horizon and raised the alarm. It still keeps its gun ports and arrow-slits, the narrow openings from which they fired, and is roofed with a brick dome vault.
Seeing it
It has been listed as a Cultural Heritage Site (BIC) since October 2002, and you take it in from the outside, straight off the promenade, with no need to go in. It is a quick stop that fits neatly into a beach afternoon or a day trip from Valencia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Torre de Guaita and why was it built?
It is a conical watchtower raised in the second half of the 16th century as part of the coastal defence tower system against attacks by Turks and Barbary pirates.
Where is the Torre de Guaita?
It stands right on the seafront of El Puig beach, at the edge of the promenade. It is about eight and a half metres tall and built of reddish rodeno stone.
Can you visit it inside?
The tower is viewed from the outside, along the seafront promenade. It has been a Site of Cultural Interest since 2002 and still preserves its loopholes.
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