Torre dels Pares

Torre dels Pares is a fortified farmhouse tower standing on the outskirts of Gandia, along the road toward the neighboring town of Daimús, in the La Safor region of Valencia province. Listed as a Cultural Heritage Site (Bien de Interés Cultural), it's one of the few well-preserved defensive towers left along this stretch of the Valencian coast.

Where does the tower come from?

The story of the estate goes back to the late 15th century, when it was bought by Duke Pedro Luis de Borja from the Balaguer family. Later, Francisco de Borja handed the land to the Jesuits so that income from the working farm could help fund the university he founded in Gandia — the institution known today as the Escuelas Pías. It was the Jesuits who, in 1605, built the tower along with the surrounding farm buildings that still make up the complex.

The tower wasn't built for show. Throughout the 17th century, Barbary pirates raided the Valencian coastline with some regularity, and the estate sat barely two kilometers from the sea. The Jesuits needed a structure that could double as a lookout post and a refuge for farmworkers whenever a raid was spotted. The result was a building that combined two roles at once — working farmland and defense.

What will you see there?

At the heart of the complex stands a rectangular, five-story tower rising above the surrounding fields. From that height, watchmen once scanned the coastline and warned nearby farms of approaching danger. Today the tower is ringed by wide orange groves typical of the Gandia plain, and a walk around the area gives a real sense of the region's agricultural side — a sharp contrast to Gandia's beach resorts just a few kilometers away.

After the Jesuits were expelled, the property passed through a string of private owners, and its condition suffered over the following centuries. It wasn't until 2010 that Gandia's town council purchased the building to halt further decay. Subsequent restoration work brought the tower back close to its original 17th-century appearance, preserving its layout and overall structure.

How do you get to Torre dels Pares?

The tower sits outside central Gandia on the road toward Daimús, so the easiest way to reach it is by car or bicycle, riding through farmland well away from the beach crowds. If you don't have your own transport, look into local walking or cycling routes around Gandia — several of them pass by the tower as a stop among the orange orchards.

When should you visit?

The building opens to visitors on a seasonal basis, often through guided spring tours organized by local tourism bodies. Spring or autumn are the best times to go, when temperatures are comfortable for walking through the fields and the summer heat hasn't set in yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Torre dels Pares? It's a historic fortified farmhouse tower built in 1605 by the Jesuits, combining agricultural use with a defensive lookout function, now protected as a Spanish cultural heritage site.

Why was the tower built in this exact spot? Because of its proximity to the sea, just over two kilometers away, and the constant threat of Barbary pirate raids along the Valencian coast during the 17th century.

Can you go inside the tower? Access is occasional, mostly through organized guided visits — it's worth checking Gandia's current tourism events calendar before planning a trip.

What surrounds the tower today? Wide orange groves characteristic of the Gandia plain, giving the area a quiet, rural feel that contrasts with the city's coastal side.