Castillo de Macenas: An 18th-Century Coastal Defense Tower in Mojácar, Spain

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.1

Popularity: Low

Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Official Website: www.mojacar.es

Country: Spain

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Castillo de Macenas is a military tower situated near Mojácar, within the municipality of Mojácar in Spain. It was constructed in the latter half of the 18th century by Spanish authorities as part of coastal defenses designed to protect the shoreline from potential maritime threats.

By the early 19th century, specifically in 1803, official records by Felipe de Paz reveal that the tower was equipped with artillery, including two cannons capable of firing 24-pound shot, confirming its active military use in coastal defense. Despite this, by 1830, the tower had been disarmed but continued to serve a security function, staffed by a corporal and three sentries who maintained a watchful presence.

Later in the 19th century, a customs house operated adjacent to the tower, as noted in 1873 documents, indicating the site’s role in monitoring and controlling maritime trade or smuggling along this part of the coast. During the Spanish Civil War in the 20th century, the tower saw further use, and modifications were made including the addition of a ground floor door to improve access. This alteration remains visible today.

Castillo de Macenas has since been recognized for its cultural and historical importance under Spanish heritage laws, receiving protected status as a Bien de Interés Cultural monument. The formal conservation measures date back to a 1949 decree and were reinforced under the Historical Heritage Law of 1985, with the regional government of Andalucía granting special acknowledgment in 1993.

Remains

The preserved structure of Castillo de Macenas presents a horseshoe-shaped design, a style locally known as torre de pezuña or torre de herradura, situated on a slightly elevated terrain about 27 meters above sea level. Its form consists of a semicircular layout with a diameter measuring between roughly 10.7 and 12.5 meters, not including its sloped base, and it stands approximately 11.7 meters in height.

Originally, access to the tower was gained via a door elevated above ground level, which was reached by a rope ladder to maintain defensibility. Inside, the tower is divided into vaulted spaces across three floors. The lowest level was reserved for storing gunpowder and supplies, ensuring munitions were securely kept. The middle floor functioned as living quarters and included a kitchen area for those stationed there. The uppermost floor served as a roof terrace fitted with cannons mounted on a raised platform known as a barbette, enabling artillery to fire over the parapet, which was tall and equipped with narrow openings called loopholes—these allowed defenders to use rifles aimed inland while remaining protected.

Notable within the tower’s evolution is the ground floor door inserted during the Spanish Civil War, enhancing entrance to the structure while marking its continued military use. Today, the tower enjoys good preservation and is cataloged officially under code AL-CAS-140. The materials and construction techniques reflect typical 18th-century coastal military architecture in the region, designed for surveillance and defense against seaborne incursions.