Tower of Saint Joseph

Torre de Sant Josep (Tower of Saint Joseph, Spanish: Torre de San José) is a Roman funerary monument standing a few kilometres northeast of La Vila Joiosa, in the province of Alicante. It ranks among the largest surviving Roman burial monuments anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula.

When was the tower built, and for whom?

The monument dates to the second half of the 2nd century AD, raised sometime between 150 and 170, on the edge of the ancient town of Allon — the Roman settlement that later grew into today's La Vila Joiosa. It commemorates Lucius Terentius Marcinus, a wealthy local citizen. The sheer size of the structure and the care put into its decoration point to the high social standing of the family who commissioned it.

Why does it face the sea instead of a road?

Roman tombs were typically lined up along the roads leading into a town, so that travellers on land would see them. This one breaks that pattern: it was built on a rise overlooking the Mediterranean, positioned so sailors passing offshore would spot it and connect the coastline with the man buried inside. That choice is unusual among Roman mausoleums and is one of the features that sets this monument apart.

What did the inside and surroundings look like?

The tower itself was essentially sealed — the only access to its inner chamber came through small openings on the east and west walls, used during rituals to pour wine and other offerings in honour of the dead. The tomb didn't stand in isolation; it was surrounded by one of the largest funerary complexes uncovered in this part of Europe, including pedestals topped with statues and a walled garden planted with species tied symbolically to the afterlife — rose, laurel, grapevine, ivy, myrtle, lavender and cypress.

What has survived to the present day?

The tower went through several changes over the centuries. During the Middle Ages, a small doorway was cut into its wall, most likely by looters after whatever remained inside. In 1543, following the destruction of La Vila Joiosa's town walls by Barbary corsairs, stone was stripped from the tower's upper section and reused to rebuild the town's fortifications. Despite these interventions, the core of the structure has survived in recognisable form.

What does the tower look like after restoration?

Between 2008 and 2015, the monument underwent a thorough restoration. A house that had been built directly against the tower was demolished, the surrounding ground was excavated, and the setting around the monument was recovered. The work was funded with support from the Generalitat Valenciana, the La Vila Joiosa town council, and private donor Elaine Evans. The tower has been listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (a Spanish designation for sites of cultural significance) since 1990, which gives it formal legal protection.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Torre de Sant Josep sits on the outskirts of La Vila Joiosa, close to the coast, and is most easily reached by car from the town centre or from nearby Benidorm. Given the region's Mediterranean climate, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, with milder temperatures than the height of summer for exploring the open-air remains.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Torre de Sant Josep? It was built between 150 and 170 AD, making it nearly nineteen centuries old.

Who was the tomb built for? It commemorates Lucius Terentius Marcinus, a resident of the ancient town of Allon, on whose site La Vila Joiosa now stands.

Why was the tower built facing the sea? Unlike typical Roman tombs placed along roads, this one was meant to be visible from the water, so sailors would remember the man it honoured.

Can visitors go inside today? Following the 2008–2015 restoration, the monument and its surroundings are open to visitors, though the burial chamber itself remains largely sealed, in keeping with its original design.

Is the tower a protected heritage site? Yes, it has been listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1990.