It is disputed as to exactly when the Watch Towers were set up as a protection against piracy along the Mediteranean coast. Each tower was visible to two others in either direction, and each had a chimney to produce smoke to raise the alarm if enemy ships were seen.
This tower, on Bahia Dorada, was in existance before 1492! It is 13 meters high, with a flat roof to view the sea and surrounding area. Its entrance is 7.5 meters high off the ground! There is no other way in! There is an account of its history in the 1997 local telephone directory! It was manned by two guards. One kept perminant watch, while the other came every afternoon and left at dawn. A rope ladder could be let down for the relief man to climb up. "The watchmen could defend themselves by throwing stones, fire or bullets of molton lead"!
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