Torre de Albillos

Torre de Albillos is a medieval defensive tower that now stands on the outskirts of Burgos, right at the old N-I road entrance to the city — and it owes its current location to one of the more unusual relocation stories in the region: the entire structure was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone in the 20th century.

Where did this tower originally stand?

The tower once stood in the village of Albillos, a few kilometers from Burgos, which is where its name comes from. It was built in the late 14th century as part of the network of fortifications guarding the approaches to the city. The earliest written record dates to 1398, naming Juan Fernández de Rio-Cabia as its alcaide, or fortress commander.

Who owned it over the centuries?

During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs in the 15th century, the tower belonged to the Cartagena family, one of the most influential lineages in Burgos at the time. In 1483 the Cartagenas sold it to the bishop of Burgos, Luis de Acuña, who in 1494 established an entail (mayorazgo) over it in favor of his son, Diego Álvarez Osorio. The property stayed within this line for generations, until in 1733 it passed into the hands of the House of the Dukes of Abrantes.

Why is it in Burgos instead of Albillos?

This is the tower's most surprising chapter. In 1964, businessman Jesús Landa purchased the structure and had it completely dismantled at its original site in the village of Albillos, then reconstructed stone by stone at a new location — on the grounds of a hotel he was building at the entrance to Burgos. The move saved the monument from decay and turned it into an integral part of what is known today as Hotel Landa, where it now functions as a kind of stone gateway greeting visitors arriving in the city.

What will you see there?

The tower has an almost square floor plan and displays the typical traits of Castilian military architecture from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. Its façades feature mullioned windows split by a small central column, while four machicolations — projecting stone galleries once used to drop defensive objects on attackers — mark the centre and sides of the walls. The structure is topped with plain crenellations resting on blind arches and corbels. Today the interior serves as guest rooms for the hotel, so visitors who book a stay can experience the tower from the inside as well as admire it from outside.

How do you get there?

The tower sits right at the entrance to Burgos along the former N-I road, within a few minutes of the city centre, as part of the Hotel Landa complex. It's an easy drive or taxi ride from downtown Burgos. Because the building now functions as a working hotel, casual visitors can freely view the exterior, while access to the tower's interior is tied to staying as a hotel guest.

When is the best time to visit?

As an exterior architectural feature of the hotel, the tower can be viewed year-round. Early morning and late afternoon light works best for photography, bringing out the texture of the stonework and the detail of the machicolations.

Frequently asked questions

Is Torre de Albillos an original medieval building? Yes — the stones come from an authentic late-14th-century tower, but the entire structure was moved from its original site in the village of Albillos and rebuilt at its present location in 1964.

Why is the tower sometimes called Torre de Landa? The name comes from Jesús Landa, the businessman who bought the tower, funded its relocation, and incorporated it into the hotel he owned.

Can you go inside the tower? Its interior now serves as hotel guest rooms, so access is mainly reserved for guests of Hotel Landa. The exterior can be freely viewed by anyone passing by.

What architectural details are worth looking for? Look for the mullioned windows, the four machicolations projecting from the façades, and the crown of plain crenellations resting on blind arches — all hallmarks of Castilian defensive architecture.