The Watchtowers of Cádiz are a series of defensive structures built during the 16th and 17th centuries in Cádiz, Spain. They were part of the city’s fortifications and were used to watch for incoming ships and to provide early warning of potential attacks by pirates or foreign powers. Some of the towers have been preserved and are now used for various purposes such as museums or tourist attractions.
The Audio guided tour of Cádiz
Information about the watchtowers of Cádiz is included in the Visit Cádiz audio guided tour. Check it out here: https://visitingcadiz.com/immerse-yourself-in-cadizs-rich-history-a-guided-audio-tour/
Or, just scan the QR code on the left with your mobile phone.
History of the watchtowers
Influenced by North African architecture but without doubt pure Andalucian, the watchtowers of Cádiz are one of the most characteristic elements of the city.
Whilst walking in the narrow streets, many of the ornate towers are hidden from view. But, from the sea, they create a picturesque and distinctive silhouette of the city that has become famous the world over.
Learn about the watchtowers of Cádiz at the Torre Tavira
Explore the ancient city of Cadiz on this 2-hour guided walking tour. Visit two of its most impressive monuments: the Cadiz Cathedral and the Tavira Tower while passing historical landmarks along the way.
How many watch towers are there in Cádiz?
Most of the original 160 or so towers were built during the “golden years” of the 17th and 18th centuries when trade with the Americas and the Indies was at it’s peak.
This came about when in 1717, King Felipe V ordered the relocation of the ‘House of Commerce’ and the Consulate of the West Indies to Cádiz, giving Cadiz the monopoly on trade, and an infrastructure that greatly contributed to the wealth of the city).
Then, In the 18th century Cádiz turned into one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: well-designed, paved and clean with higher buildings than usual, crowned with towers, which served as vantage points. It was a rich city, a cosmopolitan centre of trade with many foreign inhabitants (Genoese, English, French, Dutch…)
The plush and extravagent houses of the shipping merchants were adorned with these towers that provided two functions. First, this was a sign of the merchants wealth but secondly (and perhaps most importantly) also gave a vantage point to watch and wait for the arrival of ships. (Not only yours but also those of your competition).
100 remaining watchtowers in Cádiz
It is interesting to note that remaining towers number just over 100 and it wasn’t untill 1972 that the Cádiz town hall prohibited the construction of new towers! Many are also in a bad state of repair as the original private houses struggle with costs of maintaining these ornate structures. A good example of one that deserves more care is the Bella Escondida tower. The only lookout tower 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”.
On the street called Santa Inés you will find the fantastic museum (Museu de las Cortes) which has a model of Cádiz showing the city layout and the towers but if you really want to see as many as possible then you need to visit the Torre Tavira (Marqués del Real Tesoro, 10) which is the highest point in the city and also has two fantastic exhibition rooms detailing the cities history. here you will also find the “Camara obscura“.
The ghostly legend of the “Man of the Tower”
There is a little-known legend surrounding one of the towers in Cádiz which tells a beautiful yet tragic story. It goes like this:
In the heart of the city’s historic center rises a tower, where a man was in charge of controlling the port and the arrival of ships. He was known as the “Man of the Tower” and meticulously monitored everything that entered or left the port.
One day, he saw a beautiful young woman disembarking from one of those ships. She possessed an unparalleled beauty, and he instantly fell in love with her. She used to frequent the port of Cádiz, and he believed she must be the captain’s daughter or, much to his dismay, perhaps his wife?
As time went by, his desire to gaze upon the beautiful face of that woman grew stronger. His love for her continued to increase and, The “Man of the Tower” could be seen with a particular sparkle in his eyes, with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for life.
Misfortune and tragedy
He decided to find out who she was, whether anyone knew about that ship or her. It became an almost obsessive quest for him. No one knew anything about her or what had happened. Remeber that in those times, the 16th century, a ship could suffer a shipwreck and not be confirmed untill many months later. His fears grew as time passed, and the hope in his heart began to fade away.
From the tower, he tirelessly scanned the horizon, trying to peer into the sea, day and night. It robbed him of sleep and sanity, and his obsession was consuming him.
One day, they found the “Man of the Tower” dead. It had been many days of anxiety, waiting, shattered dreams, and little rest. The not knowing anything about his beloved had killed him.
It is said that in that watchtower, one can still see a silhouette of a man. And, If one remains silent inside the tower, it is possible to hear his breathing and even sense the ghostly presence of the “Man of the Tower.”
I love these quotes (some quite a long time ago) from visitors to Cádiz
“Most of the travelers who came to Cádiz in the past did so by sea. This allowed them to enjoy the dramatic views of a luminous white urban area, dotted with a symphony of colors in the form of flags and pennants that, dancing in the wind over the tall masts that stood on the lookout towers. Here were the identifying signs and displays of power of the so-called “porters of the Indies”, owners of the extravagant houses in the golden years of Gades” – Clive Muir 2022
“In Cadiz almost every house has a tower where, in the cool of the afternoon, wealthy people gather to enjoy the view and fly kites, fun for which men, women and children feel equal passion”. – Alexander Slidell – One year in Spain. 1831
“The view that Cádiz offers from the sea is an impressive beauty. When you begin to glimpse from afar the high viewpoints and the high pinnacles of glazed ceramics, similar to China, that adorn the parapets of the roof terraces, these aerial structures, sometimes merging with the distant shine of the waves, produce the effect of a magical illusion. – Letters from Spain. 1822
“There is moonlight. How beautiful the towers under the moonlight!”. Eugene Delacroix. Cadiz 1832.
“Cádiz is a stone ship anchored in the middle of the ocean. People end up on a roof where there is a small viewpoint. In other times, the impatient merchant used to climb it to discover in the distance his ships that were returning from America. Today it is no longer hope that climbs the steps but nostalgia for a past lost forever”. – Antoine deLatour. The Bay of Cadiz. 1857
Watchtowers of Cádiz: History, Legends, and Views from Above. Frequently Asked Questions
The Watchtowers of Cádiz are historic defensive and commercial structures built mainly in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Originally designed as lookout points, they allowed merchants to monitor incoming ships and guard against potential threats from pirates or foreign fleets.
Cádiz’s “golden age” began when King Felipe V moved the House of Trade to the city in 1717, granting Cádiz a monopoly on trade with the Americas. This shift brought wealth and influence, leading to the construction of nearly 160 merchant towers that dotted the skyline as symbols of prosperity and power.
The watchtowers served two main functions. They projected wealth and social status, being built atop opulent merchant houses. Practically, they allowed merchants to identify approaching ships—whether their own or competitors’—and take quick action on trade opportunities.
Of the original 160 towers, just over 100 remain. Some are well-preserved and open to the public, while others suffer from neglect due to the high cost of maintenance by private owners. Tower construction was officially banned by the city council in 1972.
Torre Tavira is the highest and most famous watchtower in Cádiz. Located on Marqués del Real Tesoro Street, it features exhibitions on Cádiz’s maritime history and a “Camera Obscura” offering 360º panoramic views of the city. It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand the tower’s legacy and admire Cádiz from above.
The “Bella Escondida,” or “Hidden Beauty,” is Cádiz’s only octagonal watchtower. Unseen from the street, it’s tucked away atop the house at Calle José No. 13. Despite its architectural charm, it remains lesser-known and is in need of preservation.
Yes—the “Man of the Tower” legend tells of a lonely watcher who fell in love with a mysterious woman arriving by ship. When her vessel never returned, he remained fixated on the horizon until he died of heartbreak. Some say his ghost still lingers, breathing faintly in the silence of the tower.
Nineteenth-century accounts speak of Cádiz as “a luminous white city” seen from the sea, where towers were “displays of merchant power.” Poets and painters, including Eugene Delacroix, praised the magical sight of towers under moonlight. Antoine de Latour described Cádiz as a “stone ship,” with its towers evoking both glory and nostalgia.
Besides Torre Tavira, the Museo de las Cortes offers a detailed scale model of Cádiz, highlighting the city layout and tower locations. The city’s official audio-guided tours also include tower history, making them perfect for independent travelers.
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. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!