As
a defensive measure, in the 16th century thirty seven watchtowers
were built along the Valencian coast to monitor the Mediterranean.
Within
the boundaries of Santa Pola are three watchtowers; the Tamarit
tower, situated at the salt pans, which served as a link with
the land round Elche, the Escaletes tower, also known as the Pep
tower, on the south-eastern part of the Sierra, whose function
was to monitor the neighbouring island of Tabarca and the Atalayola
tower, on which was later constructed the current lighthouse,
which communicated with the other two.
All
are strategically located to spot the enemy before he reached
the coast and they communicated with each other by smoke signals
during the day and by lights at night. |