Borriana Calatrava Tower

Calatrava Tower is a fortified medieval tower built into the walls of an old farmhouse on the eastern edge of Borriana, standing between the Sonella River (also called the Riu Sec) and the road leading to the town's port. It's one of the few surviving examples in the region of 13th-century military-order architecture, tucked away today among the orange groves of the Plana Baixa.

Where does the name come from?

Despite what many visitors assume, the tower has nothing to do with the architect Santiago Calatrava — its name comes from the Order of Calatrava, a Spanish military order founded in the 12th century. In October 1233, King James I of Aragon, shortly after reconquering this territory, granted the order the right bank of the Riu Sec in Borriana — a strip of land running from the town all the way to the sea. The donation was accepted on the order's behalf by Álvaro Fernández, Commander of Alcañiz. The tower became a marker of the knightly order's presence and a guardhouse for the estates it had been given.

What's the history behind the building?

The tower's story is well recorded in local archives. In 1391, the Order of Calatrava granted lifetime use of all its Borriana holdings to Andrés Castellán and his wife Sancha Jiménez de Lumbiere, in recognition of their long service to the order. Over the following centuries the site's military importance faded, and the tower settled into its role as part of a fortified farmhouse — a type of rural estate typical of the Valencian countryside. By the 20th century the complex needed work, and a full restoration in 1973 brought the tower and the adjoining house back to the solid state visitors can see today.

What does the tower look like?

The lower section, dating from the medieval period, is built of stone masonry. The tower has a square plan measuring 3.85 metres per side and rises to nearly 17 metres across four levels. It stands independently at one corner of a larger, L-shaped complex of farm buildings, the whole property covering roughly 10,000 square metres of surrounding farmland. Today the estate operates as Alquería Calatrava, a working rural-tourism property, so the tower can be seen up close as part of a still-inhabited countryside estate rather than a roped-off ruin.

How do you get there?

The tower sits on farmland east of central Borriana, toward the town's port (Port de Borriana), on flat ground beside the Sonella River. The easiest way to reach it is by car or bike along the road connecting the town to the coast, passing through the citrus groves typical of the Plana Baixa. Because the tower is part of a private estate now run as a rural guesthouse, it's worth checking access in advance or booking a stay if you want to see it at close range.

When's the best time to visit?

Borriana shares the Mediterranean climate of Spain's eastern coast, so spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant conditions, with mild temperatures and the surrounding orange groves at their most scenic. Summers can be hot and humid, which makes longer walks or bike rides around the area less comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Is the tower connected to the architect Santiago Calatrava? No. The name comes from the medieval Order of Calatrava, which King James I granted this land to in 1233 — not from the architect's surname.

Can visitors go inside the tower? The tower stands on the grounds of a private estate operating as a rural guesthouse (Alquería Calatrava), so access depends on the property's policies — it's best to contact them ahead of time or book a stay.

How old is the tower? Its origins date to the 13th century, though the structure seen today reflects a 1973 restoration that preserved the medieval stone lower section.

What else is nearby? The tower lies close to Borriana's port and town beaches, and the road leading to it runs through the citrus groves characteristic of the Plana Baixa region.