One of the most visited viewpoints in the city with views of the Mediterranean Sea
Benidorm, the city of skyscrapers, is known for its beaches, the nightlife or the tourism among other things, but it also hides historical corners, such as the Tossal de la Cala wave Torre de les Caletes, which we are going to talk to you about now.
Both towers have a link between each other, they are two watchtowers with the same type of fortification that fulfilled the same function, each one from a corner of each beach in the city.
Located in the Natural Park of the Serra Gelada In Benidorm as a strategic point, the Torre de les Caletes is a historical monument. Its role as a defensive tower in the 16th century served to protect the coast from the Barbary pirate attacks coming from North Africa.
Also known as Torre Punta de Cavall, it was built by Juan Bautista Antonelli, the king’s engineer at the time. Antonelli He was in charge of planning the construction and distribution of the defensive system of the rest of the watchtowers in the area: Torre de Aguiló (Villajoyosa), Benidorm Castle and Albir Lighthouse.
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The peculiarity of this tower that differentiates it from the rest is its circular shape. In it there is an iron cannon, 3 artillery bullets of 7 and 12 caliber and a field gun carriage. It dominates two coves, one on the east and another on the west; and the island of Benidorm.
Its location allowed it to make a coastal defense and monitor the stretch of coastline to alert the population in case of attack using bonfires. In the past, these towers were guarded by two men on foot and two others on horseback.
History of the Torre de les Caletes
More than half a century ago, the Mediterranean experienced a constructive phenomenon unprecedented in history. The eastern and western shores were shaken by war and by the conquest of privateer ships from Algiers and Tunisia, instigated by the Turkish Empire. Its objective was to weaken the conflict for hegemony of the Mediterranean.
In this way, for many years, the Torre de Les Caletes witnessed historical events: sieges, bombings, fires… and despite all the damage, it maintains its resistance.
The coast of Alicante It preserves one of the earliest surveillance and solidarity alert tower systems on the peninsular coasts.
In 2017, the Benidorm City Council requested the Provincial Coastal Service to carry out the project to consolidate the cliff on which the tower stands and proceed with its restoration.
What to do in the Torre de les Caletes?
Today it is a Asset of Cultural Interest and a tourist attraction of the city. Anyone can access the tower and previously take the approximately 3.5km hiking route suitable for any audience due to its easy access and low gradient.
In it you can witness remains of the structure that, despite the restorations, you can still see the original walls and elements of the construction. And also enjoy temporary exhibitions or contemplate the panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
How to get to the Torre de les Caletes
The route To visit the Torre de les Caletes begins at the end of Avenida de Europa in Benidorm from where you must go up in the direction of The Cross from Benidorm.
Another option is to climb from the end of the Levante beach along Alcalde Manuel Catalan Chana Street and then through the 2 Américas passage until you see the route sign.
Signposted at all times, it is a simple hiking route along a path that runs along the coast. In addition, there you have the possibility of visiting two coves from Benidorm: the Cala de lAlmadrava and the Cala del Uncle Ximo.
