Alta Tower - San Fernando

Alta Tower is located in the highest part of the city, dominating the land and sea approaches, including Cádiz Bay. Strategic place that served as a surveillance point in the face of the danger of attack and constant sieges sustained by the Cádiz coast.

The first written document that mentions it dates back to 1524 and is a deed of sale from the Fonte family to Pedro Antonio Pasqua, so the tower was built before this date and considered a Lower Medieval era tower.

Alta tower is a seigneurial tower, an isolated building with a pyramid base and square floor plan with three bodies where rooms are located. At 59 feet high, it starts via an embankment whose purpose was to make access to the tower difficult and stop projectiles getting through. The original approach was through a drawbridge.

These kinds of towers were traditional between the 14th and 16th century in Andalusia. In fact, sides of Gibraltar can be seen. Essential for the transmission of vital messages for the town’s survival and defence made via flag signals, whose codes were perfected during the 18th century.

It has been classified as a Cultural Heritage Site (CHS) since 1949 in the monument category due to its defensive importance for the Cádiz coast in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Friday at 10 am and 11 am
Advance booking essential.

CONTACT INFORMATION

C/ Cecilio Pujazón, s/n
(access through the Plaza de las Marinas)
(+34) 956 545 099
visitas@roa.es
www.roa.es

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Other points of interest

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