English
Discover the history of the defensive network that protected the Alicante Orchard
The Sarrió Tower opens its doors to invite you to discover one of the most unique heritage sites in Alicante. Through a guided tour, you will explore the Interpretation Center of the Orchard Towers and learn how, nearly five centuries ago, the local inhabitants organized an extraordinary defense network against privateer attacks coming from North Africa.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Alicante Orchard was one of the most prosperous agricultural areas in the Mediterranean. Its wealth, based mainly on vine cultivation and the production of the prestigious Alicante wine, made this territory a target for continuous attacks. To protect the population and their properties, a network of private defense towers emerged—visible to one another and connected through a warning system that saved numerous lives.
The Sarrió Tower is one of the best-preserved examples of this defensive system and, following its restoration, houses the Interpretation Center of the Orchard Towers, which explains the historical, social, and architectural evolution of this extraordinary heritage site declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Throughout the tour, we will learn about the history of the major privateer raids led by Barbarossa, Dragut, or Hasan Aga, discover how the warning network between the towers operated, and analyze the main defensive features of the Sarrió Tower itself—a true symbol of the Alicante Orchard's historical memory. An essential experience to understand the history of Alicante from a different perspective, combining heritage, landscape, and history.
