Moorish Tower

Like other constructions attributed to the Arabs, they date from an earlier time. The name “de los Moros” (of the Moors) was very frequent throughout the south-central peninsular, and right here in the Villuercas we find: la Herrería, el Cerro, la Cabeza, el Lagar… all of them del Moro (of the Moor).

The most visible part is a strong square of very wide walls made with rows of large boulders. Although there are some exceptions; the lower courses are of thicker gauge than the upper ones.

This circumstance and the colorfulness of its bright tones, result in aesthetically attractive panels, especially within the framework of the river, the valley, the olive trees…

Visit
MINING
Valle del Ibor
Exteriors
Construcción aislada

They are joined by a very strong coarse mortar. On the side facing the river there is an access door. In another time it would be elevated from the real level and surrounded by a moat to provide extra security. To pass to the interior it would be done over a ramp, in the manner of the keep of many castles.

In the interior there are still the holes of the beams that held the upper floor, we do not know how they accessed it, probably through a wooden structure. On the floor there is a lot of accumulated material, mainly from the collapse of the roof, so it is not appreciated as it was and if it had any access through the subfloor, where there is another hole, this seems much later than the original use.

The one that, if it is very high, probably coinciding with the second interior floor, is the opening that leads to a narrow exterior staircase that climbs to the highest point. A stone dome can be glimpsed that would close the roof of the tower, made with the same criteria of robustness as the wall.

There are no other buildings or walls, it is totally isolated and is part of a complex that does not appear to be for military use. It looks more like a large safe where great treasures are kept. It is probably closely related to the mine that is right in front: the Mina de Ibor, where the rock engravings are, but it may also have something to do with the others in the valley.

On the north side we discovered large masses of smelter slag. The color of the soil itself indicates the high mineral content of the soil it buries. The leaden tone of the soil and the sparse vegetation of the affected area is visible to the naked eye. Within a notable radius, there are scattered ceramic fragments.

We also found a large channel to collect the waters of the river and bring them closer to the industrial complex and the defensive moat.

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