The Bella Escondida tower is the only lookout tower (of the hundreds) in Cádiz with an octagonal floor plan. It is located on top of the house at number 13 Calle José but as it’s name suggests, it can’t be seen from the street. “Escondida” in English means “hidden”.
If you want to see this tower then visit the rooftop bar of the hotel las Cortes de Cádiz from where you can get a great view whilst enjoying a coffee, beer or glass of wine.
Search for guided tours and activities in Cádiz here: https://visitingcadiz.com/guided-tours-and-activities-in-cadiz/
It is said that this tower was built not only to watch for the ships arriving from the Indies but also to show the love a father had for his daughter refelected in the beautiful facade of the tower. She was secluded in the convent in the adjacent street but from her room she could see the tower and know that her father loved her.
The tower itself is different from the other towers scattered throughout the historic center of the city due its octagonal floor plan with columns and pilasters. It has four floors, small balconies and its location makes it impossible to see from the street. It is also peculiar in its baroque style, decoration of polychrome tiles and ceramic pinnacles as well as its Mudejar-inspired geometric drawings.
This tower was called the Bella Escondida by the now deceased local journalist Bartolomé Llompart. (Considered by many Gaditanos to be the unofficial chronicler of the city). In one of the articles that he wrote for the newspaper Diario de Cádiz, he gave an account of the discovery made whilst walking down the street called José de Toro. A building had been demolished leaving a “grande view of this strange tower that few had ever seen.” Many people came to see the tower after his article was published but very soon a new building was constructed on the old site once again obsuring the tower from view.
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I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.
