Lorbé Tower

Lorbé Tower is a fortified tower in the fishing village of Lorbé, in the parish of Dexo, within the municipality of Oleiros on Galicia's Ría de Betanzos.

Where is Lorbé Tower and how do you get there?

Lorbé Tower sits roughly 20 km northeast of A Coruña, in the small fishing village of Lorbé, part of the Dexo parish in the municipality of Oleiros. The most direct route is along the AC-163 road toward Sada–Oleiros, followed by a signposted turn for Lorbé-Dexo. The tower stands on a rise overlooking the mouth of the Ría de Betanzos, giving views over that estuary as well as the neighboring Ría de Ares and the coastline around Sada. On clear days, even the Torre de Hércules in A Coruña is visible from the surrounding area. At the foot of the tower lies Lorbé beach, a quiet spot favored by locals for coastal walks.

Who built the tower, and what is its history?

The tower was raised in two separate construction phases and was always part of a larger complex that included a manor house, or pazo, with its own garden — a combination typical of Galician noble residences that doubled as defensive strongholds. Family records from the Lorbé estate identify the earliest documented owner as Alberto de Otero, a resident of the Dexo parish who held the rank of alférez (ensign) in the company of nobles from Sada and served as a "familiar" of the Holy Office. His connection to the property is confirmed in documents dating to 1703, a title that marked him as a trusted lay collaborator of the Inquisition's tribunal — a detail that speaks to the social standing of the family controlling the tower at the turn of the 18th century.

What does the tower look like, and what makes it architecturally distinct?

A defining feature of the complex is a circular tower flanking the main structure, a solution common in Galicia's defensive-residential architecture, where domestic living space was paired with the ability to withstand piracy and seaborne raids that once threatened this stretch of coast. The two-phase construction is still visible in the layout of the walls and the differing proportions between sections of the complex, pointing to expansion as the owning family's resources and standing grew over time.

Can visitors see the tower today?

Lorbé Tower remains part of the so-called Casa de Lorbé and is still privately owned, so there is no general public access to the interior. It is nonetheless listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural — a formally protected cultural asset — within Galicia's heritage registry, confirming its historical and architectural value. Visitors to Lorbé can freely view the tower from outside, walk along the beach at its base, and take in the surrounding viewpoints; a restaurant named after the tower operates right nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Lorbé Tower located? In the village of Lorbé, parish of Dexo, municipality of Oleiros, province of A Coruña, about 20 km northeast of the city of A Coruña.

How old is the tower? The earliest surviving records about its owners date to 1703, indicating the tower already existed by the turn of the 18th century, though it was built in two distinct construction phases.

Can you go inside the tower? No — it is a privately owned property within the Casa de Lorbé estate. It can, however, be freely viewed from outside and from the beach at its foot.

What heritage protection does the tower have? It is registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural, a formal designation recognizing its value within Galicia's cultural heritage.