Torre del Preboste

Torre del Preboste stands in the historic Puebla Vieja quarter of San Vicente de la Barquera, a medieval coastal town in Cantabria, Spain. Built in the 13th century alongside the defensive walls surrounding the town, this tower once served as the residence and administrative seat of the preboste, a royal official tasked with tax collection and defense. Originally positioned to control the Santander Gate—one of the main fortified entrances to the town—the tower later functioned as a public jail during different periods of history. Today extensively renovated since the 16th century, it serves the community as a cultural center hosting exhibitions and cultural activities. Its strategic location near the Church of Santa María de los Ángeles and other medieval landmarks makes it a key element of the town's preserved medieval heritage.