Torre del Fraile

Friar Tower
Native name Torre del Fraile (Spanish)
the remains of the Torre del Fraile
Location	Algeciras, Spain
Coordinates	36.05746°N 5.45265°W / 36.05746; -5.45265
Built	1588
Architect	Luis Bravo de Acuña and Juan Pedro Laguna
Spanish Cultural Heritage
Official name	Torre del Fraile
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Location of Friar Tower in Province of Cádiz Show map of Province of Cádiz Torre del Fraile (Spain) Show map of Spain

The Torre del Fraile (Tower Canutos or Friar Tower) is one of a set of military watchtowers built around the South and East coast of Spain to keep an eye on passing shipping and Barbary pirates. The watchtowers were in sight of one another and it was therefore possible to get a signal to Gibraltar from the watchtower in Tarifa. The tower was designed by Luis Bravo and Juan Pedro Laguna in 1588.

The tower is about 240 metres back from the sea and Cala Arenas and 120 metres above it.^[1] The tower is over six metres in diameter and was over thirteen metres high until the top collapsed in 2006 with the loss of a window and the upper staircase. The tower's entrance was over five metres in the air and this led onto a floor. From this the soldiers could climb to the top where space was reserved for firewood for signalling.

References

1. Gurriarán Daza, Pedro (2009). "La torre del Fraile, la última atalaya algecireña del siglo XVI" (PDF) (39). Almoraima. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)^{[permanent dead link]}