Torre del Tostón


Defense tower “Torre del Tostón” is located in the coastal town of el Cotillo, which forms part of the municipality of la Oliva, Fuerteventura, Spain. This defense tower was recognized as historic-artistic monument in 1949. Nowadays, famous local artists use Torre del Tostón as exhibition room, and it's one of the island's main tourist destinations, including as viewpoint.

History

French explorer Jean de Bethencourt created the first defense tower, known as "el Castillo de Rico Roque", during the first years of the colonization of the Canary Islands. Military engineer Claudio de L'Isle built a new one on the ruins of the previous defense tower around 1700,
which was named "Torre de Nuestra Señora del Pilar y San Miguel". This defense tower consisted of two floors, and three iron cannons that were used to defend the coast and boats moored in the port of el Costillo against pirates who operated from France, England and North Africa.

Identical towers

The archipelago of the Canary Islands features a certain number of defense towers situated on various corners, which have the same structure and identical characteristics. It was added to the list of Spanish cultural heritage in 1949. Torre del Tostón is almost identical to the following castles/ towers: