Torre des Garroveret (Cap de Barbaria tower)
A few meters from the lighthouse of Cap de Barbaria we can find the Torre de es Cap de Barbaria, an incredible defense tower of the eighteenth century. It is the southernmost defense tower of Formentera and of all the Balearic Islands.
Pirate attacks were common during the 18th century and before, and the inhabitants of the island used fire and smoke signal systems to warn the population of the presence of enemy ships. Along with this tower, the other four towers of Formentera, the tower in S’Espalmador and the seven towers of Ibiza are part of the surveillance system.
How to get to the Torre de es Cap de Barbaria?
To reach the Torre de es Cap de Barbaria we must head towards the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse, along the road from Sant Francesc. Once there, park in the parking lot and walk for approximately 25 minutes (1.7 kilometers) until you reach the lighthouse. From the lighthouse you can see the tower. We must head east, walking towards La Mola, leaving the sea on the right hand side. After walking about 300 meters on foot we will arrive at the defense tower of Cap de Barbaria.
History of the Tower of es Cap de Barbaria
This imposing tower is one of the numerous military constructions that protected the island and served as a means of sighting enemy ships. It dates back to the 18th century and was designed as a defensive and surveillance system.
The official name of the tower is the Torre des Garroveret. It is located at an elevation of 65 meters above sea level on a point of the same name (Punta des Garroveret). It is also known as the tower of Cap de Barbaria.
It was completed in 1763. The execution, like the rest of the towers on the island, was the responsibility of the engineer García Martínez, who followed the 1756 projects of Joan Ballester.
It is a nine-meter high, two-story building with a truncated cone-shaped structure and an upper platform with a sentry box protected by a parapet. The entrance door, located on the upper floor, leads to the second floor, which is connected to the first floor and to the upper platform with stairs attached to the wall and semi-incast. Both chambers have a vaulted ceiling.
The construction materials are the same as in the rest of the towers of Formentera from the 18th century:
- limestone masonry and lime mortar
- six ribs of marés blocks evenly distributed along the perimeter
- Externally it presents two sandstone cords, one at half height and the other at the base of the parapet.
In the years following its construction, it had an artillery piece: one of the two cannons that were in the church of Sant Francesc. However, in 1824 it was disarmed, and was simply used as a watchtower and surveillance post. Nor did it have permanent lighthouse keepers until 1852, when this corps was created under the Ministry of War.
From the site of this tower, navigation was controlled in the south and southwest arc of the island of Formentera.
The Garroveret tower was declared of Cultural Interest in 1949.
What to do in the Torre de es Cap de Barbaria?
Visiting this tower is completely free, it is an ideal experience to make an excursion and learn more about the history of the island. This is a highly recommended visit to spend a good time admiring this old architecture while looking at the sea.
Other towers of Formentera
- Sa Gavina Tower
- Tower of Es Pi des Català (restored and visitable)
- Sa Guardiola Tower
- Sa Punta Prima Tower
