Located on a promontory point on the Casares coast between the Manilva river and the Camarate stream, the Salt Tower can be found, also known as Moor’s Leap Tower. It has two heights and also has the peculiarity of having a square floorplan, which differentiates it from the rest of the towers found along the coast. It is because of this, its difference from others, that the Salt Tower is not exactly a watchtower.
Its lower body is bigger than its upper one, probably as an architectural solution caused by the impact of the building and both of these are covered by octagonal vaulted ceilings over cantilevers. The drawbridge, whose construction was ordered by Emperor Carlos I, is no longer preserved. It was the entrance to the monument and is protected by the machicolation on the roof and the open window of the upper part, which deepens during defense as it was the most vulnerable part of the building.
It has existed since the 16th century where it appears as part of the official system of marine towers. It appears to be a Moorish work and more specifically, due to its type, Nasrid.
In 1567, it is mentioned as “…Castle where the Duke of Arcos wanted to populate a place…” in accordance with an order given by Carlos I in 1528. The Duke also intended to build salt mines in the surrounding areas, from which its name comes from, though by 1571, these had not yet been completed.
It is currently included in the “Project for the Restauration of the Historic Watchtowers of the Province of Malaga”, supported by the Ministry for the Environment, General Management of the Coasts and intends to improve its state, with the intention of creating a possible tourist and cultural use of the monument.
