It is one of the largest “fortified enclosures” in the municipality of Nueva Carteya, with great architectural complexity. It has a distinctly defensive character, featuring a large central building surrounded by a strong wall with bastions. Its occupation dates back to the Iberian period (early 4th century BC) and continued until the Early Imperial period (1st century AD).
Among the historical remains of Nueva Carteya, the ancient Walled Enclosure of the Parade Ground stands out, where parts of the defenses that once protected the original core of the settlement are still preserved. This area, now integrated into urban life, continues to evoke the strategic importance the town once held and forms part of the historic layout that has endured to the present day.
At the highest point of the municipality, at 804 meters above sea level, in the chain of hills of Monte Horquera, stands a cylindrical tower built of limestone between the 13th and 14th centuries AD. It is a watchtower —a term derived from Arabic meaning “vigilance.” When this region was a frontier between Christians and Muslims, the tower served to monitor the roads and give warning in case of danger by lighting bonfires on its rooftop.
