Torre de Tadeo

Torre de Tadeo is a medieval watchtower on the outskirts of Borriana, in the province of Castellón, within the La Plana Baixa region. Also referred to as Alquería Tadeo, it stands in the northern part of the municipality, in the area known as "La Torre," close to the Camí de Sant Pau, between the Marjalet and Mar de Vila-real paths.

What will you see there?

The tower follows a square plan measuring 6.40 by 6.40 meters and rises almost 9.60 meters. On its southern face sits a stone doorway topped with a wedge-shaped voussoir arch, while the ground floor is covered by a barrel vault. The building's blunt, fortress-like shape tells its own story: this was a defensive structure, meant to shelter people and keep watch at a time when the Valencian coast was regularly threatened by pirate raids and local conflicts.

Most historians date its construction to the 16th century, though some suspect older origins. One theory links the tower's beginnings to a wealthy Moorish family who may have used it as a country retreat. Once the land passed into Christian hands, the building took on a working role as part of a larger rural estate. Its current name dates back to the second half of the 18th century, when a lawyer named Tadeo González bought the property from his mother.

How do you get there?

Torre de Tadeo sits a few hundred meters from the Camí de Sant Pau, in farmland north of Borriana's town center. It's a quiet, rural setting typical of the region's defensive towers — surrounded by fields, without crowds, best reached by car or bicycle from the town. Borriana itself lies on the Costa del Azahar, a short drive from Castellón de la Plana, so a stop at the tower pairs easily with a day at the beach or the town's harbor.

Why does this place matter?

The tower holds the status of Bien de Interés Cultural, listed in the Valencian regional heritage register under number RI-51-0012326 by a decision dated March 5, 2009. Until 2016, the building had never undergone archaeological excavation. That year's dig, carried out alongside restoration work by the architecture firm Vetges Tu i Mediterrània, uncovered new details about the tower's history. The findings were later presented at the international FORTMED conference, where Borriana's Archaeological Museum shared the results with European fortification specialists.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn mornings or early afternoons work best, when temperatures along the Castellón coast stay mild and the surrounding fields aren't baking under the summer sun. Summer heat can make a longer walk around the open farmland uncomfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Torre de Tadeo? The building is a protected heritage site, and interior access is usually limited outside occasional events organized by the local museum or town council — it's worth checking current opening details before visiting.

Where does the tower's name come from? It's named after Tadeo González, a lawyer who bought the property from his mother in the second half of the 18th century.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — Borriana's town center, its harbor, and the beaches of the Costa del Azahar are all just a few kilometers away and pair well with a visit to the tower.

How old is the tower? Most researchers point to the 16th century as the construction period, though some elements may be older — the 2016 excavation helped clarify the timeline.