Torre de la Calahorra

The Torre de la Calahorra is a fortress of Islamic origin conceived as a watchtower as part of the defensive walls of the Andalusi period of Elx. The Almohad tower dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. The quadrangle-plan tower defended the entrance from the most important road from Alacant to the city. In its construction, plastered masonry walls were used, with stones at the base and in the corners. The fortress underwent additions in the 19th century, including battlements and neo-Arab windows with zenithal lighting.

The fortress housed the Illicana lodge number 149, and today, symbols can be seen on the ceilings and even on the floor in its rooms. The house attached to the tower dates from the 16th century and was probably used by the almodí of the town. There is a record of an agreement by the Town Council of 1492 resolving the construction of an annex building to the tower to house a weight for controlling wheat before it was taken to the mill.

Historically, the tower likely had greater heights and two more bodies, which were destroyed in the earthquake of 1829. Throughout its history, it remained closed to all citizens of Elx. Today, it serves as the seat of the Subdelegation of the Government of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons