Sa Punta Prima Tower, Formentera
The Tower of Punta Prima is the largest of the defense towers of Formentera and is located on the island of Formentera, in the area of Es Pujols.
It is one of the four buildings that were erected for the defense of the island, along with the towers of Punta Gavina, Punta Prima, Cap de Barbaria, and Pi des Català (in addition to the Tower of Sa Guardiola on the island of Espalmador).
History of Punta Prima Tower
The tower of Sa Punta Prima was built in 1762 under the orders of Juan Ballester de Zafra, military engineer, with the aim of using the tower for coastal defense.
Punta Prima is the largest of the towers that were built at that time in Formentera. Like the other towers, it is built on a circular base, has a truncated cone-shaped body, a height of two stories, with a brickwork and a machicolation.
This tower was never artillery, which means that it was only used as a watchtower to guard the passage of ships between La Mola and Ibiza.
On the upper floor of the tower is the access door, as is the case in all the towers of Formentera: it was located in that area to make access difficult in the event of enemy assaults.
Visit the tower of Punta Prima
The Torre de Sa Punta Prima can only be visited from the outside, but the views in the surroundings are spectacular, and the Punta Prima area is the perfect place to watch the sunrise. In addition, the cliffs of Punta Prima offer magnificent views towards Ibiza and La Mola, as well as the entire coast of Es Carnatge and tramuntana of the island of Formentera.
If you want to visit a Tower of Formentera you have to go to the Torre des pi des Català. Thanks to the restoration that was given to the tower of Es Pi des Catalá, it is the only one of the defense towers that can receive visitors.
How to get to the Punta Prima tower?
To reach the tower of Sa Punta Prima you must take the detour from the PM-820-2 road (the road from Es Pujols to Sant Ferran) and take the exit to the right of the Punta Prima road (direction Chezz Gerdi). After taking this exit, drive for about one and a half kilometers until you reach your destination.
The other towers of Formentera
The other defense towers of Formentera are:
