Torres Almenaras
A coastal defence network from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Estepona has seven towers distributed along its coastline. A different way to explore the coast, away from the usual circuits.
About this place
Estepona's seven watchtowers are of both Muslim and Castilian origin and formed part of a defensive system that remained in operation until the nineteenth century. Following the Castilian conquest, the Andalusian coast was frequently targeted by North African and Turkish pirates, which led to the consolidation and expansion of a warning tower network along the municipality's 21 kilometres of coast. The towers are found at various points along the coastal strip, in varying states of preservation ranging from well-maintained to near-ruin. They are not connected by any signposted route, which gives them the character of a discovery — setting them apart from conventional tourist circuits.
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Location
Where to find Torres Almenaras
⚠️ Location on the map is approximate and pending manual verification.
Living history
To understand this place better.
Every corner of Estepona carries a story. These articles tell the stories behind this place.
Defensive heritage · Siglo IX – XVII
Castles and towers: a coast always on watch
For centuries, Estepona had a defensive system of two castles and seven coastal towers. Castillo el Nicio, of Arab origin from the 9th century, dominated the interior from Padrón Alto. Castillo de San Luis, from the 16th century, stood in the town centre. The seven watchtowers watched over 21 kilometres of coastline. Three layers of defence on the same territory.
Read the articleCoastal history · Siglo XVI – XVII
Seven watchtowers on permanent alert
From the 16th century, Estepona's coast was defended by a system of seven watchtowers that warned of Barbary corsair attacks. They still stand today, spread across 21 kilometres of coastline, and are one of the most singular pieces of heritage in the region.
Read the articlePeople of Estepona · Siglo XVII
The doctor who healed Estepona and ended up in Algiers
Licenciado Murillo was a 17th-century physician who treated epidemics in Estepona and Marbella, was captured by Barbary pirates and spent 13 years imprisoned in Algiers, where he continued practising medicine through three epidemics. Calle Murillo in the old town bears his name.
Read the article
