Torre del Homenaje
Introduction
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower) is a Muslim construction belonging to the old citadel of Huéscar. There are traces and inscriptions of Roman origin at its base, specifically the remains of epigraphic ashlars dating back to the Lower Roman Empire, which were originally found in the Ibero-Roman city of Tútugi, and columns at the corners.
In 2008, due to its precarious state of conservation, it was restored by the architect Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas, who managed to give a new appearance to the tower with the use of wood but maintaining the essence of the construction with rammed earth. Today, it is considered the best viewpoint in Huéscar and a unique exhibition hall.
Torre del Homenaje
History
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The Homage Tower is a fortification that belongs to what was once the citadel of the town of Huéscar, and is the only tower that remains. Built in the 14th century, it is a quadrangular structure made of rammed earth and other materials brought to the site from previous settlements.
Proof of this are the columns and ashlars used to reinforce the corners of the building, as well as the Roman ashlars with epigraphic texts dating from the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd centuries.
The tower was declared an Site of Cultural Heritage in 1985.
Torre del Homenaje
Ashlar stones
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The ashlars, of a funerary nature, correspond to the Roman tombstones of the Atelia family from a necropolis near Galera. The two upper ones correspond to two old men aged 75 and 70, and the lower one to a 16-year-old girl.
It is striking that the ashlars are arranged in the opposite direction, although the real reason for this is not known. In addition, on one of the ashlars on the access side of the tower, there is a laudatory inscription from the 16th century:
A(ve) M(aría) sin p(ecado) / original.
This inscription is on the west side of the tower and is not engraved, but painted in red.
Torre del Homenaje
Housing
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The usefulness of this tower does not end with the conquest of Huéscar by the Catholic Monarchs, but after becoming the keep, it was used as a dwelling, which also had shops attached to it.
Proof of this are the marks on the doors and chimneys that can still be seen today from inside the tower, which is currently used as an exhibition hall,
However, during its restoration in 2008, it was decided to close all these access openings and windows in an attempt to evoke the original appearance of the tower.
Torre del Homenaje
Restoration
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The restoration of the keep was carried out in 2008.
The architect Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas was in charge of its construction, combining the original materials and construction techniques of the building in the lower part, such as the use of rammed earth, and wood in the upper part, with the intention of creating a viewpoint over the city.
This is the only place from which you can see the city as a whole, with the majestic Church of Santa María La Mayor and the Sierra de Marmolance, or in the opposite direction, the fertile plain.
This place also helps us to understand the importance of the keep as a strategic military element.
Torre del Homenaje
Introduction
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower) is a Muslim construction belonging to the old citadel of Huéscar. There are traces and inscriptions of Roman origin at its base, specifically the remains of epigraphic ashlars dating back to the Lower Roman Empire, which were originally found in the Ibero-Roman city of Tútugi, and columns at the corners.
In 2008, due to its precarious state of conservation, it was restored by the architect Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas, who managed to give a new appearance to the tower with the use of wood but maintaining the essence of the construction with rammed earth. Today, it is considered the best viewpoint in Huéscar and a unique exhibition hall.
Torre del Homenaje
History
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The Homage Tower is a fortification that belongs to what was once the citadel of the town of Huéscar, and is the only tower that remains. Built in the 14th century, it is a quadrangular structure made of rammed earth and other materials brought to the site from previous settlements.
Proof of this are the columns and ashlars used to reinforce the corners of the building, as well as the Roman ashlars with epigraphic texts dating from the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd centuries.
The tower was declared an Site of Cultural Heritage in 1985.
Torre del Homenaje
Ashlar stones
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The ashlars, of a funerary nature, correspond to the Roman tombstones of the Atelia family from a necropolis near Galera. The two upper ones correspond to two old men aged 75 and 70, and the lower one to a 16-year-old girl.
It is striking that the ashlars are arranged in the opposite direction, although the real reason for this is not known. In addition, on one of the ashlars on the access side of the tower, there is a laudatory inscription from the 16th century:
A(ve) M(aría) sin p(ecado) / original.
This inscription is on the west side of the tower and is not engraved, but painted in red.
Torre del Homenaje
Housing
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The usefulness of this tower does not end with the conquest of Huéscar by the Catholic Monarchs, but after becoming the keep, it was used as a dwelling, which also had shops attached to it.
Proof of this are the marks on the doors and chimneys that can still be seen today from inside the tower, which is currently used as an exhibition hall,
However, during its restoration in 2008, it was decided to close all these access openings and windows in an attempt to evoke the original appearance of the tower.
Torre del Homenaje
Restoration
Highlights Route, Moorish Route
The restoration of the keep was carried out in 2008.
The architect Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas was in charge of its construction, combining the original materials and construction techniques of the building in the lower part, such as the use of rammed earth, and wood in the upper part, with the intention of creating a viewpoint over the city.
This is the only place from which you can see the city as a whole, with the majestic Church of Santa María La Mayor and the Sierra de Marmolance, or in the opposite direction, the fertile plain.
This place also helps us to understand the importance of the keep as a strategic military element.