The Torre Picada: A 17th-century defense tower over Mallorca's Port de Sóller

Situated 160 meters above Mallorca's Port de Sóller, the Torre Picada is a stone and mortar defense tower with a troncoconical structure. It was built in response to the 1561 attack by the corsair Otxalí, following a raid that destroyed the nearby Torre del Coll de l'Illa. The tower was part of a signaling system designed by Joan Binimelis, where guards notified neighboring towers of threats using fire at night and smoke by day.

The tower consists of two floors and a terrace. A stone staircase leads to the first floor, which is a single vaulted chamber. A spiral staircase leads to the second floor, and by the same staircase one accesses the terrace. The original portal was located on the second floor, defended by a matacà, and there remains a cannon on the terrace. Next to the tower is an aljub, which provided water for the guards.

The tower served various roles over the centuries. In 1867, it passed to the carabiniers to monitor contraband. Later, it was used to observe planes coming from the Peninsula. Marks of the iron staircase that was installed can still be seen, providing comfortable access to the first floor. In 1875, the tower was sold to the owner of the Port.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons