Tower of the Pulpits

The Tower of the Pulpits (Torre de los Púlpitos) is one of the most distinctive towers in the old city walls of Cáceres, in Spain's Extremadura region. Standing on the western stretch of the fortifications, it stands out from the other towers both historically and visually — it is the only tower added to the walls after Cáceres was retaken from Moorish rule by the troops of King Alfonso IX of León.

Where does the name come from?

The tower's name comes from its upper defensive features — two cylindrical corner turrets whose shape resembles the pulpits found inside churches. It's a detail that catches the eye immediately and sets the tower apart from the plainer, older sections of the wall around it.

What will you see there?

The tower stands about 16 metres tall. Unlike the Arab-era towers elsewhere in the Cáceres walls, which were built from rammed earth or adobe, this one was raised in cut stone ashlars, giving it a noticeably different, more geometric appearance. That Christian-era construction style is also visible in its cross-shaped arrow slits, typical of fortifications built after the Reconquista.

The most unusual feature of the Tower of the Pulpits is the stone arch-bridge that links it to a building inside the walls — an 18th-century addition connecting the tower directly to the Palacio de Mayoralgo. Thanks to this bridge, residents of the palace could watch events and celebrations held in the nearby Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, straight from the tower. It's the only tower in the Cáceres walls linked in this way to a building within the old town.

The tower itself was built when a new gate was opened in the walls, and its role was to defend this new access point through its arrow slits, functioning as a strategic lookout and defensive post.

How to get there and visit the inside?

The Tower of the Pulpits sits within the walls of Cáceres' old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, so the best way to reach it is on foot while exploring the historic centre. Access to the tower and the surrounding walls is through the "Tres momentos en la historia de Cáceres" (Three Moments in the History of Cáceres) Interpretation Centre, which also includes the neighbouring Torre de Bujaco, a section of the city wall, and a viewpoint. Visiting this complex lets you trace the different building phases of the fortifications, from the Roman walls through the Arab period to later Christian additions like the Tower of the Pulpits.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore the old town and the tower, since temperatures in Extremadura are milder than during the hot summer months. Aim for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strongest heat and catch better light for photos of the stone walls.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Tower of the Pulpits come from? From the shape of its cylindrical corner turrets, which resemble the pulpits found in churches.

What makes this tower different from the others in the Cáceres walls? It's the only one built after the Reconquista, made of cut stone rather than rammed earth, and the only one linked by an arch-bridge to a building inside the walls, the Palacio de Mayoralgo.

Can you go inside the tower? Yes, access is through the "Tres momentos en la historia de Cáceres" Interpretation Centre, which also covers the Torre de Bujaco and a stretch of the city wall.

How tall is the Tower of the Pulpits? About 16 metres.