Torre de las Cabrerizas

Torre de las Cabrerizas is a medieval watchtower standing roughly 2.7 km north of Montefrío, in the province of Granada, at an elevation of nearly 948 metres. Its remains sit above a ravine known as the barranco de las Cabrerizas, close to the farmstead of Cortijo del Hoyón. The site is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), giving it legal protection as part of Andalusia's cultural heritage.

What was this tower for?

Torre de las Cabrerizas belonged to a network of defensive towers built by the Nasrids along the northwestern edge of the Kingdom of Granada. Historians refer to this fortified strip as the "last frontier of Al-Andalus" — a chain of atalayas (watchtowers) stretched along the border facing Christian Castile. Their job was to keep watch over the surrounding land, spot enemy troop movements, and pass warnings on, usually through fire or smoke signals, to neighbouring lookout points and toward Montefrío itself.

Around Montefrío alone, more than a dozen similar towers have been identified — including Torre del Sol, Torre del Hachuelo and Torre del Cortijuelo — which gives a sense of how dense this defensive line once was. Cabrerizas was one link in that chain, positioned to command a view over routes an approaching army might use.

What will you see there?

Only fragments of the tower survive today. It was built on a cylindrical plan roughly 5 metres in diameter, and the walls that remain now stand at approximately 1 metre high — a typical state of preservation for this kind of structure after centuries of erosion and no upkeep. Despite the modest remains, the ruin still lets you trace the tower's original shape and appreciate the strategic point it occupied, with views opening onto the ravines and countryside around Montefrío.

Archaeological work carried out at the site has focused on construction technique, examining the type of mortar and finishes used, which has helped researchers better understand how these Nasrid-era watchtowers were built.

How do you get there?

The tower lies outside the centre of Montefrío, in terrain reached on foot through the area around the Las Cabrerizas ravine and near Cortijo del Hoyón. There is no visitor infrastructure or marked parking here — this is a spot for hikers and history enthusiasts prepared to walk across undeveloped countryside. Before heading out, it's worth checking a map of the local trails and current ground conditions, since the approach crosses rural land and uneven terrain.

When should you visit?

With no shade or shelter on site, the best time to visit is during the cooler months — autumn, winter or early spring — or early morning during summer, when temperatures in this part of Andalusia can climb sharply. Dry weather also makes the walk through the ravine easier.

Frequently asked questions

Is Torre de las Cabrerizas a castle? No — it's a small watchtower (atalaya), not a castle. Its role was to observe the land and relay warning signals, not to shelter a garrison.

What condition are the ruins in? Only small fragments remain — a cylindrical base about 5 metres in diameter, with walls now standing at roughly 1 metre.

Which historical period does the tower belong to? The Nasrid period, when the Kingdom of Granada was defending its northwestern border against pressure from Castile.

Is the tower legally protected? Yes, it holds Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) status, meaning it's registered as a culturally significant asset in Andalusia.