The 16th-century Torre dels Moros watchtower

The Torre dels Moros is a medieval watchtower and defense structure of national cultural interest. It is located on the camí de les Roques, between the Puig de Vilavella and the railway line, about 3 kilometres southeast of Riudecols. The ruinous structure has a trapezoidal plan with a base of 8 by 5 metres and a current height of approximately 5 metres.

It was likely built in the 16th century or earlier to monitor the coast and the roads leading toward it during Berber pirate landings. This is the reason for its name, which is common in the surrounding area. At its foot, remains of a Roman villa and a small late-Roman necropolis can be found.

When you examine the construction, you will find a mix of eras. The structure is made of masonry with corner reinforcements, and in some places, it sits on stone blocks forming a socle. About 2 metres from the ground, the type of masonry changes, showing more modern rows. Remains of loopholes and merlons are preserved. In two of the loopholes, Roman tiles have been reused as construction material, likely from the nearby burials.

There is much more to discover beneath the tower, as the ground is crowded with history. Nearby, the base of another quadrangular tower, approximately 4 metres per side, marks a former defense point. Today, these ruins stand as a protected cultural heritage site along the camí de les Roques.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons