Torre de Trullàs

Torre de Trullàs is the remains of a medieval defensive tower of Muslim (Morisco) origin in the municipality of Sollana, in the province of Valencia, Spain. Little survives of the original structure, but the site remains a point of interest for visitors exploring the countryside around the Albufera natural park.

Where is Torre de Trullàs located?

The tower stands in the area known as Trullás, roughly five kilometres from the centre of Sollana. To reach it, take the Camino Viejo de Alcira out of town and continue for about four kilometres along the Camino de la Torre de Trullás. The site sits at coordinates 39.253673, -0.388138, on an open, flat plain close to the Albufera Natural Park, an area crossed by several walking and cycling routes.

What is the history behind the tower?

The tower was built as a watchtower during the period of Muslim rule in the region and later remained linked to the Morisco community - Muslims who stayed in the area after the Christian reconquest. A small settlement grew up beside it, taking the name Trullás from "trull", the local word for an olive-oil press once operated nearby.

What did the tower look like?

Nineteenth-century records describe a square tower roughly 16.6 metres (55 feet) tall, with a base around 7.3 metres (24 feet) on each side. An adjoining building stood next to it, thought to have served as barracks or stables for cavalry. Because the tower rose on an open plain with no natural cover, it would have been an exposed position despite its watch function.

When and how was the tower destroyed?

By 1913, documents already describe only scattered remains of the structure. Most of what was left came down soon after, in 1919, and later reports from 1927 confirm that the site had been reduced to ruins. The tower's disappearance was therefore not a single event but a gradual process of decay and demolition spanning roughly a decade and a half.

What is left to see today?

Only a handful of original stones remain on site. A commemorative monument now stands where the tower once stood, incorporating some of these original stones into its structure. Alongside it, an engraving shows the probable appearance of the tower and the buildings that once surrounded it, giving visitors an idea of what the original complex looked like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Torre de Trullàs? Yes. The site can be reached on foot or by bike as part of routes through Sollana and the surrounding Albufera Natural Park area, though visitors should expect only scattered stones and a commemorative monument rather than a standing tower.

How do you get to the tower? From Sollana, follow the Camino Viejo de Alcira and then turn onto the Camino de la Torre de Trullás, continuing for about four kilometres.

How old is the tower? Its exact construction date is unknown, but it dates back to the period of Muslim rule in the region, with its existence documented as late as the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Why didn't the tower survive? It deteriorated gradually rather than being destroyed in one event: records from 1913 already mention few remains, and by 1927 the site was fully in ruins.