Torre de los Moros

Torre de los Moros sits on the edge of Lascuarre, a small village in the Ribagorza district of Huesca province, in the foothills of the Aragonese Pyrenees. The stone defensive tower rises above the valley of the Isábena river and has long been one of the most recognisable landmarks on Lascuarre's skyline.

What will you see?

The tower has a rectangular footprint of roughly 7 by 6 metres and reaches close to 10 metres in height. It originally had four storeys, three of which survive today. One corner still preserves the remains of three corbels that once supported a projecting defensive gallery, used to cover the base of the walls below. The entrance, set under a lintel, faces south and is reinforced with dressed ashlar stone.

Although its name points to a Muslim origin, historians date the tower's actual construction to the late medieval period, with work also attributed to the 16th century. Local tradition nonetheless links the site to the era when the nearby castle of Lascuarre, recorded in old sources as Laguarres, ranked alongside the castle of Castigaleu among the most advanced Muslim frontier posts facing the county of Ribagorza during the 10th and 11th centuries. The tower's role was that of a watchpoint, keeping watch over the approach from the Isábena valley and the Sierra de Laguarres toward Lascuarre and Castigaleu.

Close to the tower, artificial openings cut into the rock are known locally as the "Moorish washhouse" (llavadero des Moros), another feature that popular tradition ties to the site's Muslim-era associations. The open setting around the tower gives wide views over the Isábena valley, making the spot as rewarding for its scenery as for its history.

How do you get there?

Torre de los Moros stands at the edge of Lascuarre, beside what was once the old road toward the village of Arén. The tower is reached on foot from the village centre, making it an easy short walk for anyone visiting Lascuarre and the surrounding Ribagorza district.

When should you visit?

Given the mountainous, Pyrenean setting of the region, spring and autumn are the most rewarding seasons, with comfortable temperatures for walking and the Ribagorza valleys at their most scenic. Because the tower stands in an exposed, open location, a clear day is worth choosing to make the most of the views over the Isábena valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Torre de los Moros actually built by the Moors? The name reflects the region's Muslim-era past, but historians date the tower's construction to the late medieval period, with some work attributed to the 16th century. Popular tradition instead connects the site to the time when the nearby castle of Lascuarre was one of the most advanced Muslim outposts facing the county of Ribagorza.

What architectural features have survived? Three of the original four storeys still stand. One corner retains the remains of three corbels that once held up a projecting defensive gallery, and the south-facing entrance is reinforced with dressed ashlar stone.

Is there anything else worth seeing near the tower? Nearby, artificial openings cut into the rock are known as the "Moorish washhouse," another feature linked by local tradition to the site's Muslim-era past.

Does the tower offer views over the surrounding area? Yes, its position on the edge of Lascuarre provides wide views over the Isábena river valley and the Sierra de Laguarres beyond.