Drawings of 1940s airplanes inside a 16th-century watchtower

The Watchtower Albercutx is a stone structure situated at 390 metres above sea level at the tip of Formentor. Because of the distance to the coast and the town of Pollença, the tower was built for surveillance and signaling rather than defense. It was connected to the watchtower of Alcúdia to warn of approaching dangers.

Construction began around 1595 following a 1550 pirate attack by Dragut. In 1597, the tower suffered a lightning strike that required repairs. In 1658, records show the purchase of ropes so that guards could climb to the interior chamber, which is situated about four metres above the ground. This chamber features a semi-spherical vault that was modified with a contemporary fireplace and stove. Inside, one can still see remains of drawings of airplanes from the 1940s when the tower served as an observatory.

Though it lacked artillery, the guards were documented to carry firearms, including muskets and pistols, to send signals. The tower faced several threats to its existence; it was nearly demolished in 1972 to make room for an artillery battery, but the owner intervened. After being expropriated, it is now public property and can be visited freely. Visitors can see the remains of a machicolation and the path leading to the terrace, which was once covered by a small booth to keep water out.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons