The Navy plans to inaugurate the permanent exhibition of the historic Torre Alta this Monday, thus culminating the recovery and opening work of this watchtower located within the grounds of the Observatory (ROA) in San Fernando.
Considered a jewel of the Navy's heritage, Torre Alta first opened to the public in November 2017 after its rehabilitation. Subsequently, in October 2018, a temporary closure was announced for a second phase of work which concluded in the summer of 2021, although the pandemic delayed its reopening.
Despite the interventions, the tower's musealization, meaning the provision of content to contextualize its history and value, was pending. In October 2024, the Navy initiated the contract process for the exhibition, with a budget of 65,312.17 euros.
Torre Alta, standing 18 meters high from the ground floor (22 meters from the ground), has specific data dating back to 1524. Due to its architectural characteristics, it is framed within the late medieval period, when these watchtowers were used for a system of signals (fire, smoke, flags) that allowed communication with other similar buildings, directly linking with the Torre Tavira.
The tower came under the control of the Navy in 1791 for the construction of the Observatory. A requirement from the second count of Torre Alta was that the watchtower not be demolished, allowing it to survive to the present day and continue serving as a communication point.
Located at the highest point of La Isla, Torre Alta offers impressive views of the Bay from its top floor, which has been its main attraction to date.
