Torre de la Bateria - Fort of La Cala de Mijas Costa |
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Torre de la Bateria - Fort of La Cala de Mijas Costa
This fort is a feature of La Cala de Mijas. Its name is Torre Vieja de la Cala de Moral which is the old name of this cove. It is located in centre of landscaped and pedestrianized with pavement cafés nearby.
It was built between 1766 and 1773, originally on the beach. Since it is now 80 metres from the beach the urban growth can be appreciated. A photo taken in 1948 shows the tower as an isolated building.
The tower was built in a shape known as ‘Horn shaped’ or ‘Hoof shape’ and the original entrance was at a higher level (where there is a window today) known as the main level. This floor is equipped with two windows and a fireplace. It has a vaulted brick ceiling and another staircase up to the roof terrace where there are two turrets with slits in the front and decorated with Arabic style tiles. The building itself is built of brick masonry with elements such as corner posts, lintels, jambs, embrasures and parapet mouldings. The perimeter is 35m it is 10m high.
The entrance was not by the current door which was cut into the wall in the 20th century to give direct access to this lower level (ground level) which is known as Santa Barbara and was the fort's ammunition store.
In 1774 a report states that the fort was armed with two cannons able to fire 16 or 24 pound cannon balls. In 1821 it was reported that the tower needed a new roof to support the two cannons. An 1830 document stated that the fort was garrisoned by a Corporal, 6 soldiers and 3 employed tower keepers. Reports after 1860 suggest the tower was then unarmed.
Since then tower was abandoned, probably in the 1940s, it was occupied by a family who cut the present ground floor door opening. Animals were stabled on this ground level and the family's living quarters were the first-floor level.
The fort became the property of Mijas town hall in 2012. It has been well restored and is now a museum and a visitors centre dedicated to tell the history of the coastal watchtowers in general and specifically those in Mijas Costa.
It is possible to climb the stone staircase to the upper level where the original entrance was, and climb another stone stairace up on to the roof to take in the near 360 degree view.
The tower was declared ‘Bien de Interés Cultural’ (listed building) in 1985
Opening
Open every day
July and August 18.00 to 22.00 hrs
Septemeber to June 10.00 to 1400 hrs.
Admission
2€ (Mondays Free)
Coastal Watchtowers
There have been about 200 watchtowers or forts build along the coast of Southern Spain. All with the purpose of looking out for invaders from the South. Some of the watchtowers seen today are Moorish origins, mainly constructed by the Nasrid dynasty of Granada after 1250. Most of the present wachtowers were constructed around 1575.
Over half the towers constructed have lasted to the present day; both due to their remarkable solid construction and being in use well into the middle of the 20th century. There are about 10 different architectural constructions. The towers that are Moorish are identified from being cylindrical or rectangular in shape with vertical walls. The majority were constructed (or reconstructed) in the major coastal defence programme of King Filipe II in 1575 are slightly conical in shape.
After 1518 attacks by Barbary pirates, (also known as Barbary corsairs, or Ottoman corsairs) based in North Africa were on behalf of the Ottoman Sultan. Initially the pirate raids concentrated on shipping but escalating to land raids. They were slave-hunters, and their methods were ferocious, capturing young people for the Ottoman slave trade.
Read the full account of the Coastal watchtowers.
MIJAS COSTA Watchtowers
Mijas has three such towers and one fort. From west to east:
Torre de Calahonda
Torre de Calahoda is located over looking Playa Calahonda in the grounds of a private villa. It was constructed about 1,600. More >
Torre Nueva
Torre Nueva de la Cala del Moral, also called Penta Pesetos, located in the grounds of an housing estate on the headland west of La Cala de Mijas. It was constructed about 1,700. More >
Torre Batería de la Cala del Moral
This is the fort in the centre of La Cala de Mijas. It has been reformed and can be explored and the views from the roof can be viewsd. It contains a 'centro de interpretation' (visitors centre) which explains the history of the towers in Mijas Costa. It was constructed about 1,550. More >
Torre de Calaburras
Torre de Calaburras is located on the headland within El Faro housing estate above the modern lighthouse. It was constructed about 1,600. More >
Location
Calle Torreón 17, 29649 La Cala de Mijas.