During the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula, was built numerous defensive fortifications in border areas to stop the advance of Christian kingdoms. These border areas were called Marks.
defensive network built by the Muslims during the ninth and tenth centuries in the region of Madrid, was to ensure the defense of Toledo Brand Media Call of Al-Andalus and consisted of different types of buildings, from castles , walled towns, fortresses and towers military guards or watchmen, who controlled the steps and ports in the Sierra de Guadarrama and Somosierra.
The watchtowers were built away from populations in areas high for better visibility and never an isolated, forming networks of towers but far enough away to maintain communication and visual contact between them. In this way, warned of the danger of a watchtower to another, windows and smoke during the day and fire by night and sent the message to the main fortifications where troops were preparing closer.
cylindrical towers The towers were formed by multi-level masonry walls and interior wood floors and beams subject. Vain was the only access door which stood on the first floor and is entered via a wooden staircase that was removed in an emergency. Roofs of these towers were observation posts where soldiers watched.
Many of the watchmen of the Community of Madrid have disappeared over time, but another kept in better or worse. We did a tour, a fall morning, visiting the 4 towers still standing in the valley of Jarama. Thanks to the article "Atalayas Muslim Madrid Jose Manuel Castellanos, in the Journal Historical Madrid n º 4 (2006) could find access to them easily:
We leave Madrid on the road to Burgos (A-1) and head to the people the fleece. From there comes a road to the Espartal, the M-122. A few kilometers a dirt road to the left leads to the lookout The Fleece. You have to park the car there and climb it on foot.
defensive network built by the Muslims during the ninth and tenth centuries in the region of Madrid, was to ensure the defense of Toledo Brand Media Call of Al-Andalus and consisted of different types of buildings, from castles , walled towns, fortresses and towers military guards or watchmen, who controlled the steps and ports in the Sierra de Guadarrama and Somosierra.
The watchtowers were built away from populations in areas high for better visibility and never an isolated, forming networks of towers but far enough away to maintain communication and visual contact between them. In this way, warned of the danger of a watchtower to another, windows and smoke during the day and fire by night and sent the message to the main fortifications where troops were preparing closer.
cylindrical towers The towers were formed by multi-level masonry walls and interior wood floors and beams subject. Vain was the only access door which stood on the first floor and is entered via a wooden staircase that was removed in an emergency. Roofs of these towers were observation posts where soldiers watched.
Many of the watchmen of the Community of Madrid have disappeared over time, but another kept in better or worse. We did a tour, a fall morning, visiting the 4 towers still standing in the valley of Jarama. Thanks to the article "Atalayas Muslim Madrid Jose Manuel Castellanos, in the Journal Historical Madrid n º 4 (2006) could find access to them easily:
We leave Madrid on the road to Burgos (A-1) and head to the people the fleece. From there comes a road to the Espartal, the M-122. A few kilometers a dirt road to the left leads to the lookout The Fleece. You have to park the car there and climb it on foot.
to
Talaya The fleece is located on top of a hill, which commanded the administrative district of Talamanaca and trace is cylindrical and 3 communicating floors staircases through a single tranche, with 6 m in diameter at the base and 9 m in height. Masonry walls are about 1 m thick and its gate is located 2.5 m above the ground, which was reached by a ladder.
returned to The Fleece, we return to the A-1 and urbanization drive to Monterrey Preserves between 49 and 50 km. Before entering it, we find the Venturada watchtower on the right. This time it's easy access to the tower and the car is parked nearby.
returned to The Fleece, we return to the A-1 and urbanization drive to Monterrey Preserves between 49 and 50 km. Before entering it, we find the Venturada watchtower on the right. This time it's easy access to the tower and the car is parked nearby.
The Venturada watchtower is visible from the road A-1 and rises on the mountain called El Carrascal and is built on a foundation of granite rocks. Its plan is circular and the exterior walls foman a slightly stepped profile. It had four stories, but his upper body has disappeared almost completely. It is the only vantage point where the soil at the door made of wood. His condition is dilapidated and was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1983. Returning again
the A-1 towards Burgos, followed a few miles to the exit to the right of the N-320 that leads to Torrelaguna. From there., We took the M-131 towards the Berrueco. In this road 5.5 miles take a dirt road that comes to the left and driving a particular property that is closed with barbed wire. We parked the car and surrounded the farm, always keeping the fence on the right and the water treatment plant on the left and after a walk of about 10-15 minutes, we arrived at last at the watchtower Arrebatacapas:
the A-1 towards Burgos, followed a few miles to the exit to the right of the N-320 that leads to Torrelaguna. From there., We took the M-131 towards the Berrueco. In this road 5.5 miles take a dirt road that comes to the left and driving a particular property that is closed with barbed wire. We parked the car and surrounded the farm, always keeping the fence on the right and the water treatment plant on the left and after a walk of about 10-15 minutes, we arrived at last at the watchtower Arrebatacapas:
The Arrebatacas tower is the highest in the province's 11 meters and a diameter of 6 meters. It sits on the rocky terrain on a paw or base of 30 cm in height and has three floors on a solid, in which level is the gateway to about 2.5 meters above the ground. It was built with brick and mortar mixed with irregular stones to fill the walls. This watchtower is one of the best preserved and Historic-Artistic Monument since 1983.
M-131 resumed the direction of El Berrueco, and before the people, the KM10, there is a road to the right, the M-133 to address toward the dam and the town of El Atazar. After 1 km of travel by this route, we found a dirt road that comes diagonally to the right that leads to a cattle farm. We entered the car and parked among the cattle, near the fire lookout in there and walk a few meters installed to Torrepedrera watchtower.
M-131 resumed the direction of El Berrueco, and before the people, the KM10, there is a road to the right, the M-133 to address toward the dam and the town of El Atazar. After 1 km of travel by this route, we found a dirt road that comes diagonally to the right that leads to a cattle farm. We entered the car and parked among the cattle, near the fire lookout in there and walk a few meters installed to Torrepedrera watchtower.
The Torrepedrera watchtower is located on a ridge height of 1,030 m at the southern end of the municipality of El Berrueco. The tower is built in ashlar, with flint-like stones. Its plan is circular diameter of 3.30 m and the thickness of its walls varies between 1.58 meters and 1.05 based on the top. The conical building is 10 m high, with three floors, the lower and affordable solid top two. This vantage point has been fully restored and can be visited inside, including access to the roof, from which you can see the towers of Arrebatacas, Ventura and the fleece when the days are clear, it was not our case. This watchtower was declared Historic-Artistic Monument in 1983.
References:
www.castillosnet.org article "Muslim Atalayas Madrid" in Jose Manuel Castellanos, in Madrid Historical Journal No. 4 (2006)
References:
www.castillosnet.org article "Muslim Atalayas Madrid" in Jose Manuel Castellanos, in Madrid Historical Journal No. 4 (2006)
