The defense of Portopí in Palma

Torre de Paraires is a tower that defended the Portopí port in Palma. While the current structure is thought to be from the 14th century, some authors consider the first rows - which have a different construction style - to belong to a preexistent tower that may date to the Roman era. Together with the Torre de Portopí, it constituted the primary defense of the city's port, specifically designed to pair with the Torre de Senyals to close the port with a chain.

By the 15th century, pieces of artillery like bombards and crossbows were documented here. Around 1470, the tower took on a new function linked to the port's health board. It served as a lazaret to inspect goods and people coming from ports with suspected epidemics. Because it was the site where textiles susceptible to spreading diseases were aired out, it became known as Torre de Paraires. It maintained this role until the 17th century.

In the 17th century, the Castell de Sant Carles took over all defensive actions and the tower lost importance. Nevertheless, an artillery battery was installed at its foot in the early 18th century and remained in use until around 1760. The tower was auctioned in 1875 but was declared a monument historicoartístic the following year and restored in 1965. Today, it remains a quadrangular structure built with marès limestone.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons