Marbella's medieval towers chosen for university study

Two watchtowers on the coast are part of a detailed Malaga University analysis

Two watchtowers on Marbella's coast are forming part of a detailed Malaga University analysis of the origins and current state of repair of these type of structures.

Watchtowers are a characteristic sight along the Costa del Sol and some go back as far as the fourteenth century. This is the case for Torre Ladrones in Cabopino and Torre del Duque in gardens behind Puerto Banús.

The towers were built when the area was under Muslim rule to protect the coast from advancing Christian troops. They are part, say experts, of around 125 towers in the Andalucía area once used for this defensive purpose. Now two of the seven-person investigative team have started working on site at the two towers chosen in Marbella.

The four-year project to review a sample of the Muslim towers in the region started in January. It has three aims. Firstly, investigators want to know exactly what condition the towers are in. Secondly, there will be a study to date the towers and investigate construction techniques and thirdly, a study of their setting.

Source: Sur in english