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| LA TALAIA
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The remains of a tower on top of the mountain of La Talaia (446 metres) dominate the two bays that surround the municipality. They are the remains of La Talaia de La Victòria. The construction of the watch point began in 1567. The tower was demolished in 1936 after a long period of neglect. It was part of the complex of towers and watch points built in strategic points of the coast to watch and transmit warnings of danger using smoke signals during the day and fire signals at night. The system enabled a fast communication with the headquarters in Palma. |
The system was improved at the end of the 16th century by the Mallorcan presbyter, mathematician and astronomer Joan Binimelis. It was similar to the systems implemented in other points of the Mediterranean coast to fight off Turkish raids.
Messages were also transmitted from La Talaia to the city of Alcúdia using flags mounted on poles.
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The tower had a round ground plan with one room covered by a ceiling.
The defences consisted of a wall that rested on a corbel. The door was elevated and access to the tower was through a wooden ladder and a rope that could be withdrawn in case of danger. Above the door, a window with machicolation completed the defences.
Two guards kept watch. They were armed with light weapons since their mission was not to defend the tower.
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