Torre de Calahorra Elche - tower from the Middle Ages - historical monument with museum

In the historic center of the city of Elche in the province of Alicante is a well-preserved tower from the Middle Ages. It is one of the most important buildings in the historic center of Elche. In the tower's museum you can see art and decoration from the time when the building was used by the Masonic Lodge No. 149 of Elche. The tower formed part of the city wall around the original city center of Elche and was one of the sentries at the main gate into the city, la Lucentina, which faced the road from Alicante. The original tower was 25 meters high, but lost 10 meters during an earthquake in 1829.

The tower is of Muslim origin and was built in the Almohad style (a style that rigorously follows the guidelines of the Koran) at the end of the 13th century. It was conquered by Jaime I of Aragon, also known as the Conqueror, in 1296. The extension behind the tower - "la casa señioral" (the stately home) - was built at the end of the 15th century after permission was granted in 1492 to expand the tower with a public building for the purchase and sale of grain. The building was to have, among other things, an approved scale to be used to check the grain before it was sent to the mill.

Statues outside the Torre de Calahorra

The extension from 1492 - la casa señioral - with the church behind

Stairs down to the basement in the tower

Bathroom in the basement of the tower

Staircase to the stately part of the tower

In the stately part of the tower's museum - la casa señioral - you can see art and decorations with clear traces of the Masonic lodge. It consists of a series of beautiful rooms with paintings and wallpaper that are works of art in themselves. There are also several frescoes (wall paintings on wet walls) from the 20th century.

Paintings by Pedro Ibarra Ruiz

Painting equipment for Pedro Ibarra Ruiz (1858-1934) who painted several of the paintings in the building

Stairs up to the original tower

More excursions: www.turideer.com

Excursion of the week: Torre de Calahorra in Elche - a medieval tower with a museum

Suitable for: Everyone, but the museum does not have an elevator and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Opening hours and prices: The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm. Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. Closed on Mondays. The entrance fee is 2 euros for adults and 1 euro for children, students and pensioners.

Getting there: Address: Calle Uberna 14. Telefon: +34 96 665 82 43

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