Torre de la Gallina

Torre de la Gallina is a small, heavily ruined watchtower (atalaya) standing on a rise near Salar, in the province of Granada, Andalusia. Little remains today beyond a mound of stone, yet for centuries this modest structure played a vital role in the defensive network of the Nasrid Emirate of Granada.

What will you see on site?

The tower has a circular floor plan and was built from rubble masonry, most likely in the 14th century, during the rule of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty. It is officially protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's designation for assets of cultural significance.

Its state of preservation is, unfortunately, very poor. A lightning strike in 1970 caused serious damage, and what survives today is mostly the lower section of the wall — in places barely a few metres high — along with a substantial mound of stone rubble that once filled the tower's interior. Visitors won't find an imposing monument here, but rather an archaeological trace of a bygone era, one that holds real value for anyone interested in medieval fortifications.

The tower sits on a small elevation close to the village of Puerto Lope, right beside a route that has connected Granada with Alcalá la Real for centuries. This crossroads — linking onward toward Córdoba and Alcalá la Real — has held strategic importance for a very long time, which explains why a watch post was raised precisely here.

What was its historical role?

Torre de la Gallina never stood alone — it was one link in an extensive chain of watchtowers subordinate to the Castle of Moclín. Its job was to maintain visual contact between the fortifications of the Castle of Íllora and the Atalaya de la Mesa, another point in the signalling chain that ultimately led to the Nasrid capital itself, Granada. Through such towers, defenders could relay warnings of approaching danger over long distances using fire or smoke signals, giving the city precious time to prepare before an enemy ever reached its walls.

How do you get there?

Torre de la Gallina lies off the beaten path, far from the main tourist routes, making it a destination better suited to travellers drawn to the region's lesser-known history than to mass tourism. The best starting point is the small village of Puerto Lope, from which a short stretch of a few kilometres leads to the tower. It's worth planning the visit as part of a wider trip through the castles and watchtowers of the Poniente Granadino area — including the Castle of Íllora and the fortifications of Moclín — since all these sites once formed a single, coordinated defensive system.

Given its ruined state, there's no tourist infrastructure here: no ticket booth, marked trails, or information panels. Sturdy footwear is recommended, along with some caution when approaching the mound that conceals the remaining wall fragments.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when temperatures across the province of Granada are milder than during the scorching summer, and the surrounding hills retain a green tint. With no shade or shelter on site, it's best to avoid the middle of the day during the summer months.

Frequently asked questions

Is Torre de la Gallina open to visitors? Yes, the site is freely accessible, though it has no tourist facilities — this is a destination for those prepared to explore ruins independently.

How much of the original tower survives? Very little — mainly the lower part of the wall and a mound of stone rubble from the interior, further damaged by a lightning strike in 1970.

What was the tower used for? It formed part of a signalling network linking the Castle of Moclín with the fortifications of Íllora and, further on, with Granada, warning of incursions during the Nasrid era.

Is it worth combining with other nearby sites? Absolutely — the area around Puerto Lope and Íllora is dotted with similar watchtowers and castles that together paint a full picture of Granada's medieval defensive system.