Towers that defend a bygone age: Discover their secrets
Day and night. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Ibiza had to keep a vigilant watch over the maritime horizon and sound the alarm as soon as an enemy flag was sighted. The watchtowers and defence towers that survive in Santa Eulària des Riu speak to us of Barbary pirates, of hidden jewels, of slave traders, and smoke signals. Come join us as we make the rounds.
For centuries, the Mediterranean Sea was a dangerous realm where North African pirates and corsairs roamed freely, posing a deadly threat not only to trading vessels but also to coastal populations, with raiders making landfall in search of provisions. Ibiza lay right on the itineraries regularly transited by Barbary ships. Here they found salt – a highly prized commodity – fish, meat, crops, and jewels – the valuable gold emprendada – as well as the chance to capture women and children to sell into slavery. These perils resulted not only in the defensive design of Ibiza’s traditional churches, as can be seen in Santa Eulària’s Puig de Missa, but also in the construction of watchtowers along the coast and defence towers in the interior.
Ibiza’s defence towers: Ever an eye out to sea
Only one of the seven coastal watchtowers which have been preserved in Ibiza is located in Santa Eulalia: the tower d’en Valls, also known as Campanitx. Perched opposite the islet of Tagomago – a short walk from the shores of Pou des Lleó –, this tower was raised in 1763, although its present-day appearance dates back to a reconstruction carried out in 1982. Don’t hesitate to go up and have a look: you’ll be rewarded with a splendid panoramic view as you imagine the guards sending out smoke signals. When you inspect the tower’s structural configuration, you’re sure to notice its second-floor entrance, a design element meant to hinder access to the invaders.
The inland towers of Santa Eulària: In search of refuge
During the centuries of these fearful pirate raids, it was just as important to sound the alarm of attack as it was to find a refuge that would save life, limb, and worldly possessions. Fortified churches provided a safe place for country folk, who lived dispersed across the hinterland, but prosperous peasants were able to build defence towers right on their own farmstead.
Currently, Santa Eulària is home to nine of these structures, many of which have become incorporated into the farmhouse itself. Those that can be seen and admired while sightseeing, or in the course of a hiking or cycling route, are the following:
Inland towers on the Great Route
If you decide to traverse the R14 Great Route, on foot or by bicycle, you will see three towers in a roughly two-kilometre stretch of road: the tower of Can Jaumet, the tower of Can Rieró, and the tower of Can Montserrat. This last-mentioned tower stands out for its construction style, which consists of horizontal rows of vertically placed stones, very similar to herringbone masonry.
Tower of Ca n’Espatleta
Declared a Cultural Interest Asset, this conically shaped tower is located in the parish of Jesús, just a short car ride from Ibiza Town. Its history dates back to at least 1533, the year in which it was first mentioned in surviving historical records. The defence tower has two storeys connected by a spiral staircase, which then continues up to the rooftop, where watch was kept. The tower has been refurbished and is open to the public.
