Architecture

Defensive towers of Cantabria

In Cantabria, there is a large number of fortified towers that fulfilled functions of housing and defense. These buildings, generally battlements, were erected mostly between the 13th and 15th centuries by noble families and influenced significantly the architecture of Cantabria, passing some to be fort-houses, a prelude to the future casona montañesa. A curious fact is that there are no circular towers in the region (except in some churches), unlike in the neighboring community of Asturias. Today, most of the towers that remain are either in ruins or have been drastically altered. The towers and castles that appear in medieval documents as castellum were very popular both as fortresses and as residences of nobles, mayors and lords. They eventually became widespread in the lower valleys of Cantabria, built on hills and within towns. One of the best examples of urban towers that gave rise to new settlements was the now-disappeared Torre de la Vega, the origin of Torrelavega. The defensive towers of Cantabria, due to their architectural features, can only be compared with those of Enkarterri, a neighboring comarca of Biscay.

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See also

• ▸Art Deco architecture of New York City
• ▸Brian Tarquin
• ▸Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston)

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