Torre de la Pólvora

Tower in Granada

Torre Polvora Alhambra
Copyright / Alhambra and Generalife

The Torre de la Pólvora or the Powder Tower is one of the minor small medieval Moorish defensive towers of  Alcazaba in the Alhambra. It is also known as the Torre de la Guardia or Guard Tower and documents of the 16th century also named it as Torre de Cristóbal del Salto. It is located behind the Torre de la Vela.

It has a square shape and is situated in the north-east of the Alcazaba and projects out from the curtain wall of the Alcazaba. Its projection makes it an strategic point for the control of the attackers whose access was though the watercourse situated in the foothills, now known actually as Cuesta Gomérez.

Built in the 13th century, after the conquest by the Catholic Monarchs, it was changed, making it a strategic point for the surveillance of the city, reinforcing the structure from its base and equipping it with various artillery guns. In Christian times, the Powder Tower became an artillery platform , and it is known that this type of material was stored and handled in this place.

Where does the name Powder Tower come from?

It receives its name because this tower is the place where the gunpowder used by artillery was stored. Since the 16th century, the nearby Adarve Gardens, was used as a firing platform by the Christian artillery.


The Torre de la Pólvora appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Granada!

Other names of Torre de la Pólvora

The Torre de la Pólvora has the following names: Torre de la Pólvora, Powder Tower, Torre de la Guardia, Guard Tower, Torre de Cristóbal del Salto..

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Visiting Torre de la Pólvora

Hours:

For opening times of the Torre de la Pólvora see Alhambra Opening Times.

The Torre de la Pólvora is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour.


Price:

The Torre de la Pólvora is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour.

Duration: 20 minutes

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