Carboneras: Watchtowers and Pirates

Walking the coastal route from Almería, we have almost always been able to see watchtowers on the horizon, one on a headland in front of us, and another on a headland behind. In fact, the Ruta del Argar coincides for 100 km with the Senda Pirata, named after the towers and castles used in defense against pirate attacks during the 16th and 17th centuries. [Batería de San Felipe (Los Escullos), Castle of San Ramón (Rodalquilar), Castle of San Pedro (Las Negras), Torreón de Mesa Roldán (Agua Amarga), and more.]

One of the worst incursions began at a cove just to the north of Carboneras where we are today. On November 28, 1573, at dawn, a large number of pirates from Morocco under the command of Al Dugâlî landed here. The 700-800 attackers were spotted, but the governor of Cuevas de Almanzora thought the report was a false alarm. As a result, the pirates were able to kill all fifty of the men in the village and take the women and children to Africa for ransom.Read more