Torre de Santa Elena in La Azohía

The 16th century watchtower commands panoramic views over the Bay of Mazarrón

Visitors entering the village of La Azohía by road or along the coastal walkway from Isla Plana will inevitably find themselves focusing on the small tower which stands on the headland of Cabo Tiñoso looking out to the Mediterranean, which is silhouetted against the sky as one approaches from the west. 

This is the Torre Santa Elena, and is the last surviving watchtower dating from the late 16th century in the municipality of Cartagena. At one point there were others in Portmán, Cabo de Palos, Estacio and Encañizada, all of them built during the reign of Felipe II (1556-98) to protect the coastline against Berber raiders from North Africa, as well as possible incursions by the Moors in Granada and Castilian, French and Italian forces. 

Until the reign of Felipe II most of the coast of the Region of Murcia was severely under-populated due to the insecurity of living by the sea, and only the city of Cartagena and the town of Mazarrón were relatively prosperous: in contrast to modern times, those settling in the area kept away from the sea and established settlements further inland.

The network of watchtowers was constructed in order to remedy this situation, and this one is ideally situated to warn the local fishermen of invaders in the eastern half of the Bay of Mazarrón: the one which still stands in Bolnuevo covered the western half of the bay, looking towards Puerto de Mazarrón and Águilas. 

The La Azohía tower was designed and built by the renowned engineer and architect Juan Bautista Antonelli, and is built in an unusual hexagonal shape. Inside it was a water deposit for use by those stationed there, and a winding staircase still leads up to the second and third floors, where the sleeping quarters were housed. On the upper floor there are narrow windows which allowed defensive fire, and the roof is designed to permit the setting up of large artillery.

A machicolation protruded over the doorway to the tower, enabling the occupants to repel anyone attempting to take it by storm, but unfortunately this no longer survives.

Nowadays, of course, the defensive purpose of this strategically advantageous position is irrelevant, but the views across the bay from 70 metres above sea level are still impressive and the tower is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Just a short walk up from the village church and the fishing jetty, it can feel like quite a climb in the midsummer heat, but the path is in good enough condition for walkers and cyclists to reach the tower without too much exertion.

The tower itself has recently been restored, although unfortunately it’s not possible to go inside it and climb up to the top. Never mind, though: the view is still magnificent, with the morning sun illuminating La Azohía, Isla Plana and Puerto de Mazarrón and the evening often accompanied by spectacular sunsets. Those who find that their appetite for climbing is whetted can opt to continue up the mountain, while others will prefer to stroll back down into the village.

The Torre de Santa Elena was declared an Item of Cultural Interest in 1985 and thus forms part of Spain’s official historical heritage.