La Torre de Ladrones, Marbella
La Torre de Ladrones, or the Thieves Tower is the tallest watchtower located on the coast of Malaga in the south of Spain and features an amazing field of view. It is located on a sandy hill near the boundary between Marbella and Mijas in the area of the Artola Dunes, next to the Port of Cabopino.
The watchtower is made of bricks and is shaped like a prism with dimensions of 3.65 m. on each side, and a height of 14.60 meters. It has a square base that is reinforced with a ravelin and does not offer any external openings featuring ornamental “fascias” instead. Internally it is distributed over three floors, with a roof that can also be used as a terrace.
It’s curious name, Thieves Tower, is due to the numerous loopholes located on the floors of its high overhangs, called “ladroneras”.
The watchtower served as both an observation and attack post used to spot approaching enemies along the Andalusian Mediterranean coast. It was also used to help control the Mudejars (Muslims raiders who remained on the Spanish coast in the late medieval period following the Christian reconquest).
In the Nasrid era, it linked the towns of Marbella and Fuengirola, and it was still used for coastal defense up until the 18th century, although due to its deteriorating condition it was unable to house artillery. As of today it has been fully restored.
