Spain’s Costa Tropical is dotted with towers and military watchtowers built to alert the occupiers of possible invasion, smugglers and fires. First built by the Moors to warn of approaching Christian armies, later watchtowers were constructed by the Catholic monarchs to protect the coast from the Arab pirates of North Africa. Such defensive energies were born in Muslim times and once the area was re-conquered by the Christians continued until the beginning of the XIX century. Piracy in the area was almost extinguished with the French occupation of Algeria when the Granada coast acquired tranquility without precedent. Nevertheless the heritage of such a military spirit has left the coastline with a legacy of historic monuments that, today, are part of the character and landscapes of cliffs, ravines and beaches of the Tropical Coast.

For anyone taking the coast road from Malaga; there spaced along the route to Almuñecar and beyond you will see high on the coastal hills and cliffs the dramatic watchtowers and the towers. Built from the 14th century onwards the towers were a sophisticated and intelligent means, using a system of fires and smoke signals, to warn all along the coast of invading vessels. By using this method of defense the different rulers of Granada were able to protect themselves from undesirables, invasion forces and pirates. The towers were generally built using a circular base - of between four and five metres diameter and up to eight to ten meters tall. For security, they had only one entrance gate located at medium height of the structure that could be accessed only by rope. Many of the constructions still remain, though in a varied state of conservation.

Despite the coast of Granada being the smallest in Andalucia; nevertheless there are quite a large proportion of towers protecting the area. Just beyond the border dividing the province of Malaga from Granada, hanging over the cliff side of the Cerro Gordo natural park is the first tower of the same name. Located behind the popular restaurant of Mirador Cerro Gordo – a short walk through the pines leads to the tower built in the last quarter of the 16th century.  Erected by the Catholic monarchs it was designed to warn of the arrival of Moors attempting to re-conquer the territories, but also deter pirates landing at the cove of Cantarriján or the bay of La Herradura. From the base of the tower, the visitor can still see in the distance a further two similar tower constructions in Malaga province and also offer an imposing view of the cliffs between Maro and Cerro Gordo. Given the height of the tower above sea level, it was mainly used as a signaling point along the coast and it was not until the late 18th century there was a small cannon fitted.

East of Cerro Gordo at the opposite end of the horseshoe bay of La Herradura bay the watchtower of the Punta de la Mona is one of more recently built. Built towards the end of 1760 on the original site of an earlier Nasrid tower, it was equipped with weapons and small artillery. Given that from this vantage it was possible to control both La Herradura and Almuñecar bays together, then it was of strategic importance in the control of invaders and also to reduce the intense tobacco smuggling – as well as olive oil and cane molasses theft – that frequently occurred during this period. In 1990 the tower was completely restored to construct a coastal lighthouse; and functions still as part of the Mediterranean Sea’s coastal network of lighthouses, it can be found to the back of the Aldea urbanization on Punta de la Mona and to this day still offers amazing views east and west.